Is surgery in Turkey safe? How to judge a hospital abroad

Safety depends on the hospital and team, not the country. What JCI accreditation and the Mayo Clinic Care Network mean, and how to judge a hospital abroad.

It is one of the first questions people ask, and a fair one. The honest answer is that safety depends far more on the specific hospital and medical team than on the country on the map. Turkey has world-class hospitals and, like anywhere, less rigorous ones. What matters is knowing how to tell them apart.

Here is what to look for.

1. International accreditation (JCI)

Joint Commission International (JCI) is the most widely recognised international standard for hospital quality and patient safety. A JCI-accredited hospital has been independently assessed against hundreds of criteria covering infection control, surgical safety, medication handling, and patient rights. It is a meaningful, verifiable signal — you can check a hospital's accreditation directly.

2. Recognised clinical networks

Membership of an international network like the Mayo Clinic Care Networkmeans a hospital collaborates with, and is reviewed by, one of the world's leading medical institutions. It is not something a hospital can simply claim — it is granted and maintained.

3. The doctors and their qualifications

Ask who will actually treat you, their specialty, and their experience with your procedure. Reputable international patient teams answer these questions directly and put you in contact with the treating specialists.

4. Clear communication

Safety also depends on understanding and being understood. Care should be coordinated in a language you follow. With Saluvia, communication is in English throughout, and you provide your medical records in English so nothing is misread.

What our partner hospitals are

In Istanbul, the American Hospital and Koç University Hospital are members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and hold JCI accreditation. We also work with a Koç Healthcare facility on the Mediterranean coast in Antalya, part of the same healthcare group.

See it for yourself

An overview of American Hospital, and patients speaking in their own words about their experience:

An honest word on risk

Every operation carries some risk, wherever it takes place. Those risks, and how they are managed, are explained by the doctors who assess and treat you — not by us. Saluvia does not give medical advice; our role is to connect you with accredited hospitals and support you through the process so you can make an informed choice.

Want to see what treatment could look like for you? Request a free assessment, or read how treatment abroad works, step by step.

Saluvia provides coordination, guidance, and information only — not medical advice. All medical assessment is carried out by the doctors at our partner hospitals.