About Okan University Hospital, Tuzla, Istanbul

Okan University Hospital is in the Tuzla-Icmeler district on the Asian side of Istanbul, close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. It opened in 2016 as the hospital of Istanbul Okan University, combining the university's academic strength with a fully equipped general hospital on a 50,000 square metre campus.

The accreditation here differs from most Istanbul hospitals. Rather than JCI, Okan University Hospital holds Accreditation Canada International (ACI) certification - the accreditation body of Canada's healthcare system, internationally recognized and applied across the same clinical quality and patient safety criteria as JCI. ACI accreditation reflects compliance with over 350 assessment criteria including surgical hygiene, anaesthesia procedures, medical staff systems, and nursing evaluation. ISO 9001:2015 is also held.

The hospital model is built around two things: academic medicine and patient orientation. The physicians at Okan are also lecturers and researchers at Okan University's Faculty of Medicine - they maintain active research programs in their specialties and are current with international clinical literature. This is the specific advantage of a genuine university hospital versus a private hospital that carries a university name in branding only.

Hospital statistics: 50,000 sqm indoor area, 250 beds, 10 operating rooms, 47 intensive care beds (neonatal, paediatric, adult), 41 departments, 100+ doctors with international recognition, 500+ total health workers. The StealthStation S7 navigation system is in use in neurosurgery, described as one of the most accurate surgical navigation tools available.

The hospital treats patients from 85+ countries. It has won multiple accolades including Best Hospital Award. One patient outcome that stands out in its track record: the hospital discovered an illness other doctors had missed in a patient who had visited multiple clinics in their home country.

Hospital Profile

Treatments at Okan University Hospital Tuzla

Neurology & Neurosurgery

The neurosurgery department at Okan University Hospital uses the StealthStation S7 navigation system - one of the most accurate neurosurgical guidance tools available, allowing surgeons to find the best access points for brain and spinal surgery while minimising risk to healthy tissue and vital areas. Prof. Murat Imer (Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine graduate, 1983; long-term training at leading medical centers in Finland and France; EU medical practice license; active member Turkish Association of Neurosurgery and Peripheral Nervous System Association; fluent in Turkish, English, and Spanish) leads spinal surgery. Specialisations include endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery, surgical treatment of epilepsy, stereotactic surgery, neurooncology, peripheral nerve surgery, and radiosurgery of nervous system tumours.

Erkan Kaptanoglu is a neurosurgeon at the hospital. The department handles all spinal and brain conditions from disc herniation to complex tumour surgery. For neurosurgery in Turkey, Okan's StealthStation S7 navigation and academic physician model are specific differentiators.

Oncology & Cancer Treatment

Surgical interventions of varying complexity are the primary oncology tool, complemented by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A multidisciplinary approach is applied with multiple departments coordinating on each cancer case. The academic research environment means that trial-based and emerging protocols are incorporated where clinically appropriate. For cancer treatment in Turkey, Okan University Hospital's model provides access to research-driven oncology practice.

Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery

Cardiac pathology diagnosis and surgery. MR angiography for diagnostic imaging. Cardiac surgery including minimally invasive bypass techniques. Paediatric cardiology covers congenital and acquired heart defects - angioplasty for valve stenosis and correction of intracardiac defects are performed. This paediatric cardiac capability is less common among smaller Istanbul hospitals.

Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery

Complex orthopaedic surgery and spine management. The academic base means orthopaedic surgeons at Okan maintain research activity alongside clinical work - important for access to trial data on implants, fixation techniques, and post-surgical rehabilitation protocols. For orthopaedic surgery in Turkey, the university model brings academic oversight to clinical decisions.

Bariatric Surgery

Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and metabolic surgery. Okan is specifically known among international patients for bariatric procedures - the hospital is listed on medical tourism platforms as a featured bariatric provider with package options. For bariatric surgery in Turkey, Okan's packages include pre-operative assessment, surgery, hospital stay, and follow-up, with proximity to Sabiha Gokcen making travel logistics straightforward.

Gynaecology, Obstetrics & Gynaecological Oncology

Prof. Selcuk Ayas (Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty, English Programme; Residency at Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Research Hospital; Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics since 2007; fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery at Laparoscopy Hospital, New Delhi; Observer at Charite Campus Mitte Berlin in Gynaecological Oncology; fluent English and basic German) leads gynaecological oncology. Cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, viral hepatitis in women, and complex gynaecological conditions are managed here. For gynaecological treatment in Turkey, Prof. Ayas's fellowship credentials in minimal access surgery and European observership are notable.

Transplantation

Organ transplantation is listed among the hospital's key specialties. This is relatively unusual for a hospital of this size and reflects the university hospital's clinical ambition. Details should be confirmed via DivinHeal for specific transplant cases.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Rhinoplasty, breast implants, Brazilian Butt Lift, and aesthetic procedures. Package options are available through DivinHeal. Penile implant surgery is also documented as an available procedure. The plastic surgery department covers both aesthetic and reconstructive cases.

Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Urology

Full coverage across standard specialties. The Okan University academic model means physicians in these departments are also researching and publishing, relevant for patients with complex or unusual presentations that benefit from research-based practice.

Technology & Equipment

• StealthStation S7 Navigation System - Neurosurgery guidance; finds optimal access points, minimising healthy tissue risk

• MR Angiography - Cardiac and vascular imaging

• Full MRI Suite - Neurological and musculoskeletal imaging

• CT Imaging - Diagnostic and oncological imaging

• Endoscopic Surgery Systems - Minimally invasive approach across multiple departments

• Robotic Surgical Systems - Available for complex procedures

Key Doctors at Okan University Hospital

All Okan University Hospital physicians are licensed by the Turkish Medical Council. Many hold Board Certification in the US, Australia, or Europe. Credentials are formally reviewed before appointment and on an ongoing basis.

International Patient Services

International Patient Service Team: Full coordination including treatment option development, multilingual support, airport transportation, hotel reservations, visa and travel insurance assistance, and post-discharge telephone consultation.

Location Advantage: Proximity to Sabiha Gokcen Airport means short and direct travel for international patients on arrival and departure.

Cost: Treatment at Okan University Hospital is priced at a significant discount versus comparable European private hospitals.

24/7 Emergency: Round-the-clock emergency department with full imaging and ICU backup.

Building Design: Horizontal division of the building separates OPD and surgical patients to reduce waiting and improve care flow. Separate waiting areas for different patient categories.

Why Choose Okan University Hospital for Treatment in Turkey

ACI accreditation - 350+ assessment criteria. Accreditation Canada International is equivalent in rigor to JCI. For patients from Canada, the UK, or countries familiar with the Canadian healthcare model, ACI provides direct recognition. For all patients, the 350+ criteria assessment validates the same clinical safety and quality markers.

University faculty physicians - research-active. Doctors who lecture and research alongside clinical work are current with the latest literature and trial data. Complex or unusual cases benefit from this academic depth.

StealthStation S7 navigation. For brain and spinal surgery, the accuracy of surgical navigation directly affects outcomes. This system is among the best available.

Prof. Ayas - Charite Berlin and New Delhi fellowship. Gynaecological oncology patients benefit from a specialist trained at one of Germany's most prestigious hospitals and internationally certified in minimal access surgery.

Prof. Imer - EU medical license, Finland and France training. Neurosurgery led by a physician with formal European training and an active EU practice license - rare among Turkish hospital neurosurgeons.

Proximity to SAW airport. For patients on the Asian side of Istanbul or arriving via Sabiha Gokcen, Okan's location is among the most practically convenient.

How DivinHeal Connects You

Step 1: Share reports via WhatsApp or upload a form. Step 2: DivinHeal coordinates with Okan's International Patient Service team for case review and cost estimate. Step 3: Right specialist is matched based on your diagnosis. Step 4: Airport transfer from SAW, hotel booking, and visa support arranged. Step 5: Coordinator accessible during stay. Post-treatment telephone consultation facilitated via DivinHeal.

Address: Icmeler Mah. Aydinliyolu Cd. No:2, 34947 Icmeler-Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey

Website: okanhealthcare.com

Patient Reviews

"In my home country I was going from doctor to doctor to no avail. So much money spent on medications. I finally decided on medical tourism. At Okan they examined me very thoroughly and found an illness other doctors had missed."

"The hospital is very nice and tidy. During 3 days in Istanbul the doctor examined me, took an MRI of my brain, and prescribed treatment. My hearing did improve."