In fact, it's possible to find better care in İstanbul than in a small town back home.A British couple, John and Wendy, dropped me a note sharing how pleased they are to be able to stay in touch with Turkish current affairs through Today's Zaman on the Web. They had a week-long holiday here last summer which became nearly a two-week stay because of illness. Here is their story:
Dear Charlotte, following a serious illness in 2006, my wife and I decided to take a holiday to celebrate her recovery. Only a few days into our wonderful holiday, a package deal for near Fethiye, my wife fell down some stairs that had been left wet after cleaning. As a result of this holiday accident, Wendy injured her back. We were unable to return after the scheduled week and had to remain at the resort for several days at considerable expense. Wendy was unable to enjoy the remainder of the holiday due to restricted movement.
The accident could have been prevented. The stairs were marble and became dangerously slippery when wet. There was no sign to warn the surface was wet. Also there weren't any handrails in place, which might have prevented Wendy from falling. The hotel staff, doctors and nurses and our tour guide were all very helpful and professional, but the hotel's negligence ruined our holiday...
Dear Today's Zaman readers, if you plan to take a vacation this summer, let me remind you about what accidents occur frequently among holidaymakers:
Accidents in the water: accidents while swimming, taking part in water sports and scuba diving.
Road accidents: often involving drivers unfamiliar with foreign roads and signs.
Outdoor pursuits/sporting accidents: during activities such as skiing, mountain climbing and hiking.
Sunstroke: due to excessive exposure to the sun.
Food poisoning: either from poorly prepared or cooked food or from contaminated drinking water.
Foot injuries: often sustained by people walking barefoot on beaches and walkways.
Many of these holiday accidents can be prevented with careful planning and safety precautions to avoid having an injury or illness in a foreign country.
The irony of all this is that you have some folk who want to receive medical treatment abroad!
As Jessica Anderson, staff writer for Kiplinger's magazine, puts it: "Americans head overseas for five-star care at Motel 6 prices." Anderson is not referring to regular holidaymakers but individuals who go abroad for their medical care and stay in five-star hotels.
Jonathan Edelheit, vice president of a large insurance group, draws an analogy between five-star hotels and Motel 6 -- with US hospitals being more like Motel 6. "Overseas hospitals are often nicer than ours and their equipment is as good or better, as are their doctors, many of whom trained in the States before going overseas," he says.
Earlier this week I was injured. Before going to work, I was walking my dogs, Ginger and Kila, around the garden. Yes, I am a victim of the last point in my list above, foot injuries.
The sidewalk around the side of the apartment building is stone and uneven with gaping grooves. My left foot caught one of the gaps and my body began to do the twist.
Before I knew it I was down on the ground and wondering if I could get up by myself. The dogs stood by, staring at me. I managed to get up and go inside to examine the damage. By mid-morning my foot was black and blue and swollen. A doctor examined me and wrapped my foot and said that I probably had a broken bone.
I then went to a hospital near my home to get my foot X-rayed. Yes, a bone was broken. Returning home, a friend and I were trying to get me out of the car and up the sidewalk to the apartment's front door when -- before I knew it -- two young Turkish men who had been delivering something across the street noticed and came to my rescue. They put their arms around me and swept me off my feet! They carried me up the front steps right into the corridor depositing me in front of the elevator. This is one time I was glad to be picked up.
Skeptical about going abroad for medical care?
The truth is that foreign hospitals often rival or surpass those found in the US. Turks can be angels -- they are usually very caring and helpful.
