Global Leaders Urge Preparation For The Next Pandemic

Preparation for the next pandemic has been requested so that the world is not caught off guard as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down the entire world.

During a conference organised by the Global Healthcare Travel Council (GHTC) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Emin Çakmak, Founding Chairman of the GHTC, stated that the world must prepare for future pandemics through rapid healthcare reforms, investments in facilities, and human resources to serve both local and international patients.

Çakmak, in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Managing Director/CEO of DoctorCare247, Nigeria’s leading telehealth company, Chuks Melville Chibundu, has explained the growth of the Turkish medical tourism industry and its commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to international patients.

He stated, “In the last 20 years, Turkey has invested more than $50 billion in new hospitals and cutting-edge technologies. Over 15,000 doctors have graduated from Western and Turkish medical universities and are now practising in world-class Turkish hospitals.

“We are fortunate in logistics because Turkish Airlines provides direct flights from Turkey to over 350 international destinations, facilitating medical travel.”

According to Çakmak, Turkey’s world-class medical services, hospitality infrastructure, geographic convenience, and natural beauty have made it a popular global healthcare destination for medical treatment, wellness, spa, thermalism, sports medicine, retirement, and accessible tourism.

He credited Turkey’s resilient pandemic response with the country’s continued growth in medical tourism, noting that: “During COVID-19, we suffered fewer losses than other nations due to timely safety protocols. After a four-month hiatus, we reopened borders to international patients because we had enough hospital infrastructure and personnel to serve both Turkish citizens and international medical tourists.”

He did, however, caution that “the world must be ready for future pandemics through rapid healthcare reforms, investments in facilities and human resources to serve not only local populations but also international patients during crises.”

DoctorCare247, Nigeria’s leading telehealth company and a network partner of the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council (THTC) attended the 6th Global Healthcare Travel Forum (GHTF).

Chuks Melville Chibundu, MD/CEO of DoctorCare247, attended the conference with other staff members.

Chibundu highlighted the conference’s key takeaways and how the company plans to use them to further its mission of providing Nigerians with affordable access to world-class healthcare.

The theme of the 6th GHTF conference was “Innovation and Collaboration in Global Health Tourism.” Chibundu stated that DoctorCare247 is interested in exploring collaborations with the THTC to bring innovative healthcare technologies to Nigerians seeking medical care abroad.

“Our collaboration with the THTC is a critical component of our mission to provide Nigerians with affordable access to world-class healthcare,” Chibundu stated. “Through this collaboration, we can leverage the expertise and resources of the Turkish healthcare system to offer Nigerians cutting-edge technologies and highly qualified specialists in Turkey, all at affordable prices.”

Fikri Ataoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, officially opened the conference.

Mr. Ataoğlu shared the TRNC’s vision for health tourism and commitment to international cooperation. He stated, “We are working with our stakeholders with the vision of creating a brand in health tourism and strengthening our global position in this field.”

“Our country stands out in health tourism because of its Mediterranean climate, natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage, as well as modern health services and high-quality treatment options for protecting, improving, and restoring health.”

“Our goal is to create a sought-after destination that provides accessible, high-quality, and people-oriented services to every health tourist who prefers the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC),” he explained.

Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, Chairman of the Global Healthcare Travel Council and President of the Cyprus Healthcare Travel Council, stated that health tourism is rapidly growing around the world and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the sector.

Dr Savaşan stated that the conference’s timely theme, “Innovation and Cooperation in Global Health Tourism,” is intended to “produce innovative solutions to challenges in our sector, support sustainable development, and create a strong synergy for its future.”