11 health institutions in the TRNC were accredited to the “Map2heal” on-line patient admission system, which was implemented as a project of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), with a signing ceremony yesterday.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, Minister of Health Faiz Sucuoğlu, Founding President of the World Health Tourism Council Emin Çakmak, President of the Cyprus Health Tourism Council Ahmet Savaşan and officials of health institutions attended the signing ceremony and the press conference held before the signing.
Together with the Near East University Hospital, which had previously registered to the system, the number of institutions from TRNC became 12.
WARRIOR
In his speech at the event, Ahmet Savaşan, Founding President of the Cyprus Health Tourism Council, explained that the Map2heal system, which includes 90 countries, is important for health tourism in the country.
Savaşan stated that 11 more health institutions were included in the system, which was previously joined by the Near East University Hospital.
CAKMAK
Emin Çakmak, Founding President of World Health Tourism, gave information about Map2heal in his speech at the event.
Çakmak reminded that NEU Hospital and physicians were first accredited to Map2heal in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the WTM International Tourism Fair in London.
Defining Map2heal as a “health map”, Çakmak stated that Map2heal is a platform for people to receive quality healthcare services in different parts of the world.
Stating that there are 151 offices in 90 countries within the framework of Map2heal, Çakmak noted that the system, which also offers translation services between different languages, has the ability to transfer large patient files in a very short time.
ATAOGLU
In his speech, Minister of Tourism and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu DA thanked everyone who contributed to the process and pointed out the importance of reaching this point despite the serious objections of Southern Cyprus.
Explaining that they are carrying out various studies with the Ministry of Health and the government on Map2heal, Ataoğlu said that the system is of great importance in terms of health tourism.
Pointing out that tourism in the country has been handled on the sea-sand-sun axis for a long time, Ataoğlu stated that they have been working for a long time to go beyond this.
Explaining that they had previously organized a workshop in this context, Ataoğlu noted that they will continue to work on the issue.
Stating that it is very important to take part in this system, which includes 90 countries, Ataoğlu said that they are also open to investments from outside in the field of health tourism.
SUCUOĞLU
Minister of Health Faiz Sucuoğlu also touched upon the importance of health tourism and thanked those who supported the inclusion of health institutions in the Map2heal system.
Explaining that the accreditation to Map2heal is one of the most important steps for health tourism in the country, Sucuoğlu noted that TRNC should get a share from the world health tourism pie.
Pointing out that those who come for health tourism leave 8 times more income than those who come for cultural tourism, Sucuoğlu emphasized that quality in health should be kept above a certain bar in order to compete with the world.
Sucuoğlu thanked those who contributed to the integration of Northern Cyprus, which has the advantages of nature such as sea, sand and sun as well as quality health services, into the world with this system.

Following the speeches, representatives from 11 health institutions signed to be included in the Map2heal system.