Unhappy with the lack of qualified doctors in their home country – as Turkmen patients describe – they are forced to travel to Iran. Iran is becoming a popular medical tourism destination for Turkmen patients dissatisfied with poor healthcare in Turkmenistan.
Several Turkmen patients and their relatives anonymously complain of medical malpractice and misdiagnoses in Turkmenistan.
Turkmen medical tourists in Iran seem to completely distrust the Iranian medical system.
They say – despite having modern equipment imported from Europe , there are no specialists to operate those machines to ensure proper healthcare in Turkmenistan.
After the health-focused dentist-turned-politician Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov rose in power in late 2006, the government invested millions of dollars to healthcare in Turkmenistan This investment was directed towards constructing cutting-edge medical facilities equipped with advanced equipment.
Berdymukhammedov, who governed Turkmenistan until he passed the presidency to his son, Serdar, the previous year, was renowned for issuing mandates that required individuals to engage in mandatory group walks, exercise sessions, and bicycle rides as a means to endorse a healthy way of life.
Healthcare in Turkmenistan: Doctor’s Inadequacy
Many Turkmen express the view that the government has not adequately trained healthcare professionals. They argue that there is a shortage of individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high-quality and safe medical care. They blame the widespread corruption for poor healthcare in Turkmenistan.
In Turkmenistan, patients distrust locally trained doctors due to widespread bribery in medical school admissions, education, and employment. Those with money or connections often secure top positions regardless of their abilities.
Turkmen patients have reported receiving different diagnoses and treatments from Iranian doctors compared to what they had received in Turkmenistan. However, there are no official reports or statistics available on misdiagnoses and medical malpractice in Turkmenistan due to strict government control over information and a lack of tolerance for criticism.
Healthcare in Turkmenistan: The Reality of State Hospitals
Iranian visa is easier and cheaper for Turkmen.
Turkmen people seek medical tourism in various countries like Russia, India, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. However, the majority of Turkmen, living in poverty, cannot afford such options. Consequently, many must rely on under-equipped village hospitals lacking basic amenities, including running water, modern heating systems, and adequate medical equipment.
Turkmenistan provides subsidized and affordable healthcare to its citizens, supported by government-backed health insurance that covers most treatments at state hospitals. However, reports suggest that corruption is widespread in these hospitals, where patients frequently have to pay fees to medical professionals and for medications to even receive free healthcare in Turkmenistan.
Asman: An Ecocity Envisioned for Medical Tourism
In line with the ongoing eco-friendly movement, Kyrgyzstan intends to construct the Asman Eco-City of the Future along the edges of Lake Issyk-Kul. The official project website envisions accommodating around 300,000 residents within the city; however, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan has hinted at the potential for an even larger population in the future.
“From 500,000 to 700,000 people will live in the future city,” Japarov said ahead of laying an inaugural capsule at the construction site in June. “The total area of the city is 4,000 hectares. The construction will be financed by external investors—foreign companies.”
Up to now, the trio of French companies – Finentrep Aspir , MEDEF, and Mercuroo – have committed to investing five billion US dollars into the initiative, which constitutes a quarter of the required overall funding.
Medical Tourism Event: The Future of Healthcare Meetings
The Future of Healthcare Meetings is being jointly organized by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Associations & Conference (AC) Forum. This 2-day program will bring together members of ICCA and AC, as well as members of associations and key stakeholders from the medical sector to discuss how healthcare meetings can evolve to stay relevant and engage future generations.
This event is a joint effort between ICCA and AC Forum and features a series of signed events over 3 years focusing on the healthcare sector. The first edition of this B2B event, held since 2021, was hosted in Cannes, France, from July 6 to 8, 2022.
The second edition of the event will be focused on opportunities for the development of meetings in the health sector, thanks to the concrete efforts of TGA, the promotion agency, and to benefit the development of Turkish tourism.