Memorial Şişli Hospital
| Turkey | Thailand | South Korea | |
| Plasmapheresis | from AUD $1,695 | from AUD $3,107 | from AUD $5,931 |
| Selective Apheresis | from AUD $2,189 | - | - |
| DFPP Plasmapheresis | from AUD $2,613 | from AUD $5,077 | - |
Dr. Mustafa Serdar Sag is a rheumatologist at Medipol Acibadem District Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in treating ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Sag holds dual board certifications in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Rheumatology.
Prof. Dr. Salih Pay is a rheumatology specialist and professor. He has been a professor since 2008. He graduated from GATA Gülhane Military Medical Faculty in 1987. He completed his internal medicine residency at GATA in 1995. He finished rheumatology training at Hacettepe University from 1996 to 1998. He served as an assistant professor at GATA from 1999 to 2000. He became an associate professor in 2000. He conducted experimental research on chemokines and chemokine receptors at the UC San Diego – Stein Research Center from 2001 to 2002. He has published nearly 100 scientific articles.
He currently practices at Koru Ankara Hospital. His focus is on rheumatic diseases. These include rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vasculitis, Behçet's disease, gout, and osteoporosis.
Turkish clinics treat Rheumatoid Arthritis using international protocols. They focus on disease-modifying therapies and biological agents. Accredited centres in Istanbul and Antalya provide diagnostics like musculoskeletal ultrasound and 3 Tesla MRI. Specialists like Prof. Dr Salih Pay integrate systemic medication with physical rehabilitation to manage inflammation effectively.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish rheumatology centres often bridge the gap between internal medicine and physical rehabilitation. Asst. Prof. Mustafa Serdar Sag holds board certifications in both Rheumatology and Physical Medicine. This dual expertise allows clinics like Medipol Acibadem to combine medication with targeted musculoskeletal ultrasound. Patients benefit from a single specialist managing both inflammation and mobility.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that stepping up from oral drugs to biologics in Turkey significantly improves daily life. These biologics include Humira and Enbrel. Many note that methotrexate remains a reliable foundation. Short-term steroids help manage flares effectively during their stay.
Leading Turkish hospitals for rheumatology include Memorial Şişli, Istanbul Florence Nightingale, and Medicalpoint International. These JCI-accredited centres specialise in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune care. They provide diagnostics like 3 Tesla MRI and biological therapies. These are for patients from Australia and worldwide.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many choose Istanbul, Medicalpoint International in İzmir is a standout for Australians. It offers a unique single-price policy for transparency. Their team includes 200 translators, which simplifies complex consultations for chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. This is vital when discussing long-term biological therapy plans.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend choosing large Istanbul hospital chains. These should house both rheumatology and algology departments for comprehensive pain management. Confirming the facility can handle in-house infusions and musculoskeletal ultrasounds before travel is highly advised. This is especially important for visits to Turkey.
Regenerative therapies like PRP and stem cell treatments are available at JCI-accredited Turkish hospitals. These therapies primarily manage joint pain and secondary wear. Doctors use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for immunomodulation. However, specialists typically recommend them as adjunctive support alongside standard disease-modifying drugs.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish rheumatologists, including Prof. Dr Salih Pay, often use musculoskeletal ultrasound for precise diagnosis. Our data shows patients choose Turkey for its accredited centres. Istanbul Florence Nightingale, for example, holds both JCI and British QHA accreditations. This dual certification means higher safety standards for complex autoimmune cases. It offers more protection than smaller, independent clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey report significant relief from joint pain. They receive mesenchymal stem cells delivered via IV or injection. They recommend confirming a clinic's focus. Some clinics target systemic RA while others only provide symptomatic relief for individual joints.
International patients receive comprehensive concierge support including personal coordinators, VIP airport transfers, and professional medical interpreters. Turkish hospitals provide remote pre-evaluations for rheumatoid arthritis cases. Major centres like Memorial Bahçelievler and Memorial Antalya offer end-to-end logistics. This covers everything from hotel bookings to dedicated international departments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many expect standard medical care, Turkish centres like Medicalpoint International Hospital employ a unique single-price policy. This transparency prevents the price creep often seen in complex autoimmune treatments. It is particularly helpful for Australians who need to budget for extended stays. These are required for therapies like plasmapheresis.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that private hospital care feels highly curated. They appreciate having a dedicated coordinator. They stress the importance of clear written communication regarding diagnosis and follow-up care in Turkey.