I had been looking at the postcards I collected over the years, watching the same old Cuban films to warm my soul, and wondering about the stories of the happy people in the pictures. One day, I started rereading Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea and realized that I had been feeding an enthusiasm. I was imagining the Cuban kids who named Hemingway “Papa” as he was playing baseball with his sons in front of Finca Vigía’s house; the adventures he had in the sea with his boat tied up in the garden; and the fishermen who dressed the fish they caught off the coast of Cojímar with sea salt and sour grape juice. I imagined the members of the Buena Vista Social Club emerging unex-pectedly from one corner and singing songs as if they were all still alive, and the strangers I’d exchange greetings with in the street.

It wasn’t enough to have these recurring images in my head as dreams anymore. That’s when I decided to visit Cuba.I arrived in Havana on a scorching afternoon. With the curiosity and desire to explore this city I was visiting for the first time, I hailed a cab and headed towards Habana Vieja. We drove past Plaza de la Revolución which is home to buildings with reliefs of Che Guevera and Camilo Cienfuegos as well as José Martí Memorial. “Vas bien, Fidel,” it said under the re-lief portraying Camilo, one of the most belov-ed Cuban leaders. Camilo gave this response meaning “You’re doing well,” when, addressing the public, Fidel Castro looked back and asked, “Am I doing all right, Camilo?” I looked at this quote and his smiling eyes in the relief, smiling back. José Martí, who became a national hero with his contribution to Cuba’s fight for inde-pendence in the 19th century and who is also known for his poems and essays, was greeting the visitors to Havana with a more serious and pensive look. Judging from the expression on his memorial, you can feel that it was in no way easy for Cuba to build its presence.

Now, I am knocking on the door of the house in Habana Vieja, where I’ll be having the “casa particular” experience for the first time. Thanks to this service, you can make a reser-vation to accommodate at “lodging houses” and have the chance to witness local life. The door opens, and our hostess Bianca greets me with a big smile along with her grandchild who waves “Hola!” albeit with a shy look. We go upstairs so they can show me around the house. Bianca points to the balcony and the apart-ment next door saying, “If you need anything, you can call me from the balcony.” Looking around me on the balcony, I realize I am really in Havana!

Wandering around the sweet chaos of Ha-bana Vieja, the oldest part of the city, I start to see everything typical about Havana. Ema-nating the streets brimming with movement, sounds and colors, the nostalgic atmosphere is led by colonial structures and classic cars with stylish drivers waiting for their customers. I continue walking and encounter a crowded group of tourists in front of Hotel Ambos Mun-dos, where Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls. With cameras hanging around their necks, they are impatient to go in. On Cathe-dral Square there are vendors selling guava juice and ice cream, college students, fortune-tellers in white dresses on every corner, and a few couples dancing in front of a café to the music overflowing onto the street. The melo-dies that carry “Son Cubano,” a music genre of African and Spanish origin, to present become the soundtrack of my trip to Havana. With these tunes in my heart, I visit the Museum of Colonial Art, the exhibitions at Wilfredo Lam Centre of Contemporary Art, and Alejo Car-pentier Foundation.

I meet Havana’s idiosyncratic lifestyle and lo-cal delicacies in the district of Vedado. Here, life fills the streets; it’s as if there are no house doors but streets open up into the houses. People chatting by the stoop, playing domi-noes with jokes, forming queues in front of the fruit stalls at the market, a family watching a football game on TV in a house with doors ful-ly open, two little girls practicing ballet moves in front of a fan… Each is like a frame that sums up the lives of the Cubans.

Cuba’s multicolored nature, inherited from its African origin, can also be seen here. It’s on women’s dresses and accessories, the tradi-tional men’s shirt called guayabera, school and business uniforms, hand-painted store signs and murals. Wherever I look, I see a different shade, feeling like strolling through a rainbow. I cannot help but smile. When people ask me where I’m from or say “Hello, welcome to our country,” I feel the pleasantries of life come to the surface. The joyous bustle of kids playing baseball keep the city’s rhythm ever lively. Cu-bans also love football, ballet, and music.

I wake up to a new day in Havana with the bal-cony chats of my neighbors. The topic ranges from TV series to which products are on sale at the market, from national politics to sports. The cries of the potato-seller are mingled with the shaking out of laundry. This is an ordinary day in Havana. Bianca calls me to the balcony. She gives me a tray of fried eggs, plantain, coffee, pineapple, mango, and guava. This breakfast has been shaped over time thanks to tourists visiting Cuba while locals greet the day with a sweet cup of coffee.

The breakfast is followed by house visits. My list includes the cadmium yellow Casa de la Obra Pía’s baroque courtyard; the rooms of Casa de Africa which is a giant mansion that displays objects brought from 26 African countries; Casa de los Árabes, which is the only mosque in the city and was built in Maghreb architec-ture; and the monumental El Capitolio.

Malecón, the esplanade stretching from one end of the city to the other, is the meeting place of locals after work hours. I am ready to greet the sunset with them. When I see people fishing on the coast, I imagine Hemingway’s stubborn and elderly fisherman, Santiago. In these moments when the sun paints the city orange, cars of all colors drive towards the set-ting sun. Three friends are sitting on the rocks playing guitar and singing songs with “Cuba” in them. The cordon is getting crowded as the young dance among the elongated shadows of people. I sit by the sea and surrender myself to the sound of the waves beating against the coast and the view of the darkening horizon. I think of what José Martí wrote, “I have two homelands; one is Cuba and the other is the night. Or are they one?” At that moment, Ma-lecón becomes the canvas of the painting of happiness that surrounds me. I know that one day this painting will call me back to this city.

The history of the medical tourism dates back to ancient times and takes root from Mesopotamians in the third millennium B.C. It can be said that the concept of medical tourism is as old as medicine itself. Many years ago, when travelers from all over the world began traveling to distant lands in search of quality medical treatment when Americans were traveling to other countries for cardiovascular operations, abdominoplasty or dentistry.
The study of ancient cultures leads to the conclusion of a strong link between religion and health. This relationship originated in ancient times. Most ancient civilizations believed in the therapeutic effect of thermal springs and sacred spas.
Sumerians, created the most ancient of the now well-known medical complexes thatwere built around hot springs. These medical “institutions” included majestic temples on high ground with numerous pools.

During Bronze Age, the tribes living on the territory of modern St. Moritz, Switzerland believed in the healing power of mineral sources enriched with iron. Bronze glasses, from which they drank water from sources, were also found in France and Germany, which may be a sign of “therapeutic” pilgrimage within these cultures.
The ancient Greeks were the first people who started the foundation of modern medical tourism. In honor of their god of healing – Asclepius, they established kind of medical center – the first in the world. People from allover came to this place to recover from their illnesses.
In India, the history of medical tourism is closely connected with the development of yoga and ayurvedic medicine. 5000 years ago, a huge number of pilgrims and religious figures were sent to India to take advantage of alternative medicine.
During the heyday of ancient Rome, hot springs gained considerable popularity among the elite. They were not only medical, but also shopping and social centers for wealthy residents.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Asia became the main destination of medical tourism for pilgrims. Hospitals providing medical services to travelers began to appear. These institutions are milestone in the history of medical tourism.
The Renaissance became not only the period of revival of art and culture in Europe, but also the heyday of medical tourism. At the end of the Renaissance, aristocrats from all over Europe still continued to visit Bath for therapeutic purposes.
In 20th century, the United States and Europe were not only commercial and industrial centers, but also health centers. Medical tourism was only available to the rich, who traveled to these countries in order to receive quality medical care.

The competition among hospitals increased thanks to the international accreditations and certificates, such as Joint Commission International and programs of certification of Medical Tourism Association. Thailand, Singapore and India have become major centers of international tourism thanks to JCI accreditation. Other countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America also gained prestige in this area, receiving JCI accreditation andentering into partnerships with leading US health care providers. The guarantor of the quality of Turkish medicine is at least the fact that over the past 10 years about 50 Turkish clinics have received JCI certificates. So today we can safely talk about the high level of medical care in Turkey as well.
Medical tourism is developing at a tremendous pace worldwide. Medical Tourism Association and Global Health Union have been supporting education, communication and transparency in the industry. Thanks to these efforts the industry of medical tourism has become a global phenomenon and continues to develop in a strong direction.

I would really like to thank the most beautiful city among neighbor cities with its 150,000 inhabitants. I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute you spend in such a ‘Middle Ages’ city of budget-friendly country Germany.

First of all, let’s answer how and when you should go there. There is no airport as it is a small city. However, you can arrive in the city by a train transfer from Frankfurt or Stuttgart airports and regarding time, spring will not disappoint you for a comfortable journey. I should also mention that although it is not such a big city as Berlin, Prague, Venice, it offers us to reveal its secret of beauty not only by visiting but also by living there.

One of the best universities in medicine and pharmacy of the country is situated in this city. The University of Heidelberg, which has a history of 700 years, is also Germany’s oldest university. We pass faculties and libraries as we walk down streets because the university is spread to the
whole city. In addition to the historical atmosphere, the young people accompanying us in these streets makes us feel great, as if walking on an invisible bridge between the past and the future…

To cut a long story short, I’m starting with Hauptstraße. Quite a long street with its numerous shops, great cafes and restaurants offering world cuisine lined up side by side, cobblestone pavements and eyecatching architecture makes you feel great. If one day you visit Heidelberg, please do not forget to explore the streets and local shops. You will certainly have the opportunity to try different original products and delicious street tastes.

Transportation to the castle which is familiar to us from city photos, is provided by funicular. The castle also allows you to see the city with bird’s-eye view, but for the perfect landscape (and photos) you must pass the philosophers’ path – Philosophenweg. You can get to a certain point by car, but I advise you to walk up the slope that was used by the young philosophers of their time frequently which is not so difficult. When you look at the city from the top you will see the River Neckar and the bridge over it. The bridge is one of the symbols of the city, just like the castle. Although the Germans destroyed the old wooden bridge to prevent soldiers from crossing the city, the bridge (alte Brücke) was built after the war. There is a city gate and two sculptures on it. This bridge is a place where tourists loveto take pictures most. I’m gonna take a photo following the rumor that they don’t let you live the city without taking photo.

A piece of advice from me:
CAFÉ SCHAFHEUTLE: in the backyard, you can have coffee and eat great desserts at noon.

CÁFE KNÖSEL: This cafe, one of the oldest in the city, should be given a chance. I’m not the one who can’t express feelings easily, but I can’t express the mood I’ve had while discovering this city. Perhaps because of thinking of Germany as an industrial country, maybe ‘gray clouds’, I don’t know, but Heidelberg really struck me with admiration.

Anita Medhekar, a CMTP graduate, Indian by origin, teaches economics at the Central Queensland University in Australia. She is also involved in research in applied economics related to developing international trade, health and tourism. Her interests as a researcher are also in the area of global trade in healthcare services/ medical tourism from different perspectives: trade in healthcare, public-private partnerships, governments role in developing medical tourism business, healthcare policy, healthcare quality and marketing perspective.

The Medical Tourism Magazine had the opportunity to ask her why?

“Since the last decade or more, I always get a health check up done in India at a state-ofthe art medical facility/ hospital, which has highly skilled medical professionals who provide internationally accredited healthcare. In-spite of having private health insurance in Australia, with a long waiting period, I visit India for healthcare, as one can see a specialist straight away. Hence, I developed an interest in the topic of medical travel particularly in the case of India and developing countries, and started researching in thisarea from an economics, tourism, international trade and marketing perspective. I have been on the mailing list of MTA and decided to do the course online to further enhance my knowledge on medical tourism, and wanted to learn now from MTA experts. Hopefully, one day I will join the industry or be part of it in some way in the near future, as I would like to contribute to this industry either as an educator, or as a consultant to a medical-tourism facilitator or a hospital engaged in treating foreign patient.“

Having a medical tourism education has opened the door to new opportunities.

“Professionally having a CMTP designation has provided me all the essential information needed to build a successful business model for a medical tourism facilitator. Personally, it was an opportunity to get the scholarship and also to further my knowledge from a practitioners and industry perspective on the global business of medical tourism.”

Ms. Medhekar’s key takeaways from the course are:

• Build a successful business model
• Most important role of the medical tourism facilitator
• Be informed about costing, legal, regulatory accreditation issue
• Provide a positive customer experience from the beginning to end to the patient, because they put a lot of trust in you from the time they make the first call/e-mail until the post surgery care and follow up with them after the medical tourist home regarding their well-being.

Ms. Medhekar believes that taking the CMTP course is essential to being a part of the medical tourism industry. “It is essential for any tourism mediator / facilitator to have this CMTP certification and regularly update their knowledge. This is important to not only build a successful business model but to keep up with the global competition, changing political and economic environment and healthcare policies and regulatory and ethical issues in the various countries. It is also beneficial in the way of learning to provide a positive customer experience.”

Ms. Medhekar would recommend this course to others in the medical tourism industry.

“I would encourage all medical tourism operators / facilitators including key private corporate hospitals engaged in the business of treating foreign medical patients to provide this training to their medical and non medical staff, if they want to be a successful global player in the business of trade in health care services, and learn not only to network with accredited healthcare providers, but also to be able to grow their business. It is an excellent course and I have learned how giving attentionto detail step by step, one can not only build a successful business model but also provide a positive healthcare/medical travel experience to foreign patients.”

I would like to tell you about the wonderland Prague; This city which I did not have much idea about before planning the trip  was really cut out for me. Hence, the last day of my trip I just said “I have to rope someone into coming here again soon.”

We first visited Saint Vitus Cathedral in the city. This cathedral, a magnificent and impressive example of Gothic architecture, is within the boundaries of Prague castle. It is impossible not to admire the stained glass and depictions of Mary and Jesus inside. The medieval masters of the period have done an excellent job. Hence, the kings and queens of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire have being crowned in this cathedral for centuries. The construction began in the 1300s but lasted 600 years. A burned, destroyed, but indestructible church. There are so many churches in the city that it is often called the city of 100 towers. And I claim, you will love most of them.

Prague with its perfect view, castle, local street artists, organizations around it, street markets enshrined my memory. I can promise, you will see how well the Soviet breeze suites this city as in many other European countries!

In our first stop with large squares and magnificent structures we realized how good choice we had  made.

And Charles Bridge.

This symbol of Prague, with 30 replica sculptures arranged on the right and left sides, has a magnificent view all the time of the day, especially at sunset. The Statue of St John of Nepamuk, who was drawn to the Vlatava River by the king of the period and after which was canonized by the wave formed in the river, is the most breathtaking and famous one among the statues on the bridge. Touching the woman and dog plaques on the statue is supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague. It is an undeniable fact that the bridge is overcrowded most of the time, so it is better to go there early in the morning or late in the evening. When you cross the bridge, you might think that 80% of the tourists around the world are walking with you in Prague. You can discover many beautiful places where you can eat, drink, and shop. Unfortunately, despite the fact that it is a cheap country with so many tourists, half of the stores try to sell unnecessary and poor quality goods. And unfortunately it is crowded everywhere! I think you should go into the crowd and leave route searching aside. After 15 minutes you will be able to know your location. This way is more enjoyable.

Of course, visiting the Astronomical Clock in the Old City Square is a must. Actually this clock; does not only show hours and minutes, but also the location of the sun, moon and stars in the sky. Moreover, the numbers from 0 to 12 on it represent the signs of the zodiac and the story is quite interesting. Everyone was amazed after the watchmaker of the period Hanus had made the astronomical clock and wanted to know how it had been made. But it was a secret. Hanus did not tell anyone this secret. However, Hanus’s eyes were blinded by the Prague government to be sure that this beautiful clock would exist only in Prague.

Hanus avenges himself by throwing himself into the clock mechanism and ending his life after which it becomes unable to repair the clock again. The clock was damaged by wars and tried to be repaired periodically but unfortunately achieved no result. Of course, there is not only Astronomical Clock in the Square. There was Easter market when we were in Prague.  I would definitely recommend you to go to markets set in the Square during religious and cultural holidays.

I would also recommend you to spend one evening at Cafe Slavia located on the bank of the Vlatava river, which impressed us by both piano music and meals. Of course, the aim of our trip was to spend time in the places of Prague where Nazim Hikmet lived and wrote his poems in exile. Being in those places made us so happy. But there is also the irony that Nazım Hikmet was very unhappy in a city that could be called an open-air museum. This magnificent city could not really make him happy or he had never been able to reflect it in his poems.

Both Franz Kafka and his works make us feel his loneliness and melancholy. When I entered Kafka’s house in Prague (now a museum), who was unhappy and lonely man ‘indeed’, I felt as if I would really see him there. There are a lot of things in this museum, such as letters, animated pictures, stories, biographies, etc. This poor man, who is not loved by his authoritarian father, by Germans for being Jewish and by Czechs for speaking German, gives his works to his friend to burn worrying that nobody will like them. You will see most of them in the museum and understand Kafka better.

Clementinum was another place that impressed me so much. The library was built as a building of  Jesuit University which you can visit only in a group. The ceiling was painted by Jan Hiebl. The used tools are still being exhibited. The first local weather reports were taken from this building. There is a part of the library which will make you feel like ‘Is this hallucination or I‘m really here?’ There are different manuscripts, old maps, first observatory studies in this part. It is forbidden to enter there. It is possible to watch there only from the entrance gate. The tower and its scenery we went in later admired us as well.

And Vyshehrad! It is calmer than the other places as it is not a frequently visited destination for tourists. I guess I loved this.

It was the first area Czechs had arrived before Prague was established. A huge cathedral, green castle and perfect river. The idea of ​​walking down the tower and walking along the river could not be only our idea. This place, reminding us Izmir Kordon, was not crowded in vain.

We were four friends there and made reservation in a place 15 minutes away (we used only tram) from the area called ‘Old Town’ with very reasonable price. If to compare public transport ticket prices to other European countries, Prague deserves the title ‘budget friendly city’.

Prague! The city which makes you feel all emotions at the same time. City of time and reality. A legendary city that connects Soviet and Western cultures with its bridges, tridelnik, churches, museums and people.

 Bushra Keban

Seek for support. Because while making payments in large amounts with patients from various countries and time zones, the number and repitition of payment related inquiries and requests rise. Most hospitals aren’t organized to deal with these inquiries all day long. They likewise would prefer not to deal with this.

Payment comfort. Patients will search for more helpful, efficient, and convenient ways for making payments which drive these exchanges to web means because of the capacity to transfer funds fast and securely and can be controlled by means of sms or email.

Common or local payment alternatives. Offering international patients familiar payment choices in their currency by using web experience can be serious differentiator in their experiences. The options which offer discounted rates compared to those offered by banks in the patients’ country will probably be more pleasing.

Agreement and reliability. In the condition of increasing terrorism threat and focusing on financing sources, transparency and compliance will be  the most important sides. Hospitals will be required fast confirmation of sources, providing detailed transaction reports for all payments.

Despite the payment is the last part to think in the medical tourism field, these above mentioned aspects become significant and necessary for both the payers and the payees as medical travel becomes more common day by day.

Since healthcare organizations aim to attract more international patients, they need to eliminate such payment problems by providing them with a stress-free and localized method of payment that they can easily settle in back office.

Shahsuvar Hajizada

Director 

Rhazes Global

Type 1 diabetes is a type of diabetes seen after 6 months and is often a “autoimmune” disease (immune system cells are damaged by pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells). It is more common in children and youths, they have to live insulin-dependent life, because pancreatic insulin-producing cells are damaged. Without insulin, glucose taken with food can not enter the cells, so it can not be used as a source of energy. In children with type 1 diabetes, symptoms such as drinking too much water, passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night (sometimes nocturnal enuresis) and most importantly weight loss occur suddenly, and if early diagnosis is not possible, “diabetic ketoacidosis” can happen which causes a coma as well. While the main problem with diabetes is related to glucose metabolism, protein and fat metabolism are also impaired in the course of the disease, and in the long term tiny blood vessels (capillaries) can be damaged.

Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which is mostly caused by obesity, Type 1 diabetes is a rare disease. According to the World Diabetes Federation, 10% of the 400 million people in the world are Type 1 diabetics. In our country, there are about 7 million Type 2 diabetics, while about 50,000 people are Type 1 diabetics, and half of them are children. According to recent studies, there are around 20,000 diabetic children in our country and each year about 1,700 children are diagnosed Type 1 diabetes.  No one thinks of diabetes especially in children because of its rarity and neither beleive that type 1 diabetics can lead a normal life like everyone else. 

Society does not know Type 1 diabetes

Children either meet with diabetes at an early age when they do not know themselves or at the beginning of adolescence. Either way, they have a long time to grow up and they live this time with diabetes. They actually grow up with diabetes; diabetes affects their growths and vice versa. Even though they try to cope with the difficulties of growing up with diabetes, these children face many problems. Some children regret that they have to hide their diabetes for a long time from their surroundings, friends.

The main reason why children with diabetes live these difficulties is that the community don’t know type 1 diabetes. Those who meet a child with type 1 diabetes often for the first time look at them with pity and think that they will not live a normal life, will not be able to marry and have children like everyone else. If some children are known to be diabetic, they will not be able to get rid of the thought to be treated differently.

To cure Type 1 diabetes and get rid of insulin treatment is the greatest longing of all diabetics, but unfortunately today there is no such treatment yet ‘’to get rid of diabetes’’ and provide insulin secretion of pancreas as before. We say yet because research in this field is still going on. Type 1 diabetics and their families have difficulties in accepting diabetes as a lifelong disease, and they always expect a miracle. A miracle is not possible if Type 1 diabetes diagnosis is true. Despite these facts, there are some “hope mongers” who aver that they cure this disease with various plants, etc. abusing hopes of patients with diabetes. Be careful with these people and never give up the right treatment of diabetes by beleiving in these miraculous treatments.

Diabetes at School 

Diabetic children spend most of their time in school and need support from their teachers for uninterrupted continuation of their treatments and participation in all school activities as their compeers. Today, the role of teachers in the treatment of diabetes is increasing. Teachers should be trained for diabetic emergencies as low blood sugar, etc. In addition, diabetic children should have snack meals, getting insulin should be made easier for them, and informative meetings should be held for a school life that is compatible with their friends. Nowadays diabetic children are experiencing many problems in schools. For example, teachers who do not know about tip 1 diabetes keep children away from school activities by saying ‘’we can’t take responsibility’’.

“Diabetes at School” program was initiated in November 2010 in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Health in order to solve the problems that diabetic children have in schools. The purpose of this program is to help early diagnosis of diabetes by strengthening school care of diabetic children and providing teachers and students with information about diabetes in children.  

Diabetic children and youths can do all kind of physical exercises!

Today, children and youths with diabetes can live a normal life if they look well after themselves. The main point is accepting diabetes and doing what is necessary. Shevar Ercan, who lives in Diyarbakır and plays basketball at Giresun University Team, tells how she became ‘’friend’’ with her diabetes: ‘’I’m a basketball player.  We were in Turkey Championship game held in Sivas. I had excessive weight loss and fatigue. I related it to the intense tempo at that moment, but as these complaints occured suddenly, we went to a hospital in Diyarbakir where I was diagnosed diabetes. There is a nurse there, Munevver. We are as friends. She explained me everything; that this disease will not hurt me, if I get along well with and accept it as a friend. I did not believe at first. Then when we were back home, I realized that when I really looked well after myself,  it also responded well to me. Despite I attended the tournament immediately after the hospital and my blood sugar  was not fully regulated, I performed well and got the award. I accepted my disease as a friend that would never leave me alone in my life and realized that there was nothing to stop me from doing other activities.’’

 There are many successful athletes like Sheval among diabetics. One of them is Alper Saruhan with Type 1 diabetes, basketball player who attends “My Friend Diabetes Camp” in Iznik every year. Alper Saruhan makes simple, impressive and inspiring speeches for children in camps and boosts children’s energy by saying “the life of diabetic children deserves the title “Survivor’’(survives despite the difficult circumstances) more than the life on the TV programs, that your own life can teach you to be a successful athlete with diabetes, that diabetes can not be a barrier in reaching your goals, that all difficulties can be overcome if you become friends with diabetes”. Likewise, type 1 diabetic marathoner Gürkan Açıkgöz who comes to Iznik every year, explains the importance of sports in diabetic life as: “He controls diabetes better because he runs and runs better because controls diabetes well.”

Let’s popularize diabetes camps!

We, a group of doctors, nutritionists, nurses, medical students dealing with diabetes in children, have been gathering around the Iznik lakeside with about 90 diabetic children every year since 1997. Diabetes camps offer unique opportunities for both diabetes education and diabetic children to live in peace and friendship with diabetes. Children with diabetes live together with experienced diabetic fellows, doctors, nurses, dietitians, psychologists and medical students for a week. Peer interaction and encountering experienced people in diabetes treatment in camps can change the lives of children with diabetes. Beyond these, diabetic children understand through their experiences that they are not alone, that diabetes is not a source of sadness, that they can live on their own away from their families. There are entertainment and sports as well as education and friendship in camps. Children regain their confidence in camps and make a fresh start to their lives. Considering all this, children with diabetes in our country should visit diabetes camps at least once.

A few years ago, we tried to describe the emotions in the camps and children’s experiences of being friends with diabetes in a documentary film called “My Friend Diabet”. The aim of this documentary is  better understanding  of diabetic children by society, teachers and health care. One of the main actors of the documentary is an Endocrinology Professor Oğuzhan Deyneli who also has Type 1 diabetes. The documentary describes his and children’s lives together and ends with his inspirational words for diabetic children and youths: “If we take care of our diabetes as required, we can lead a normal and successful life”.

 It is possible to be friends with diabetes!

 When a child is diabetic, the most important thing is to left behind all worries as soon as possible and organize the life by accepting and fulfilling the needs of diabetes treatment. We can define this view as being friends with diabetes. Actually, it might sound like a romantic word. In fact, this basically describes how to be at peace with diabetes in the treatment of this disease, not to see diabetes as a constant anxiety, be careful about friends’ and own diabetes. Dr. Oğuzhan Deyneli who had type 1 diabetes during high school and now works as an Adult Diabetes Specialist at Koç University Hospital puts into words the important place of being  “friend with diabetes” in his own life: “My first encounter with diabetes happened when I was 15 years old. It was a new secretive thing for my family and me.  There were not a lot of supporters then who would give information about diabetes in the hospital. When I first get insulin shots, I felt better, because I replaced the missing hormones in my body and balanced my sugar. The most important step we actually try to take while treating diabetes, is to become friends with our diabetes and make it a part of our life.”

Professor Dr. Şükrü Hatun

Koç University Faculty of Medicine

Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

& Head of Diabetic Children’s Foundation

The main reason for the active development of the medical tourism has been the increase in the cost of treatment, as well as a significant difference in its cost in different countries. Thus, patients who do not have the opportunity to pay a certain procedure in  home country or do not want to spend time waiting for it can often get an appropriate service abroad at much lower price and without delay. In addition, medical tourism allows patients not only to combine treatment with pleasure – to save money and time, but also to visit the country.

Patients need to consider different aspects before traveling abroad for medical services. Advance planning in medical travel is necessary. They visit a country which has different language, culture and environment; they are not residents of the country they travel to and of course relevant documents for entry are required.

Before traveling, patient’s application must be accompanied by the form of the selected medical institution explaining the duration of the planned treatment. The majority of medical travel is by commercial aircraft with a family member. All necessary facilities are arranged for them.

In order to feel assured and safe, patients are provided with all services from the beginning of trip, including transportation, accomodation and appointments. In addition, plans for family members, details about nearby touristic sites, as well as follow-up plans upon return to the country of origin are provided.

The coordinator books flight tickets, a hotel room and provides transfer. For the duration of the patient’s stay in abroad, coordintor becomes a personal assistant, interpreter and guide who helps to solve any issue.  The services as hotel reservation, touristic visits, interpretation, air or ground-based ambulance are provided upon request.  Unexpected complications can change travel needs related to commercial flights or an air ambulance.

Planning is the most inportant part when traveling abroad, especially for medical treatment. Patients have to be be mindful that they are not constrained to medical travel with family or assistance and that they have extra facilities to benefit from. Coordinators deliver an excellent experience by overseeing all basic touch-points, coordinations and communications during the travel.

Patients should have the right in medical travel as to use the service as a whole: within the framework of the principles of equity and equality, equitable access to services; equality in services regardless of race, language, religion, religion, sex, political views, economic and social status, and awareness: the right to access information on all types of services and opportunities.

Gulnar Asgarova

Operations Director 

Rhazes Global