Medipol University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER)
Medipol University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER)
Turkey, Istanbul
Ali Zirh
38 years of experience • 1500+ treatments performed
accreditations :
Essential tremor treatment cost in Turkey typically includes a brain MRI with contrast ranging from $200 to $300 and primary procedures like deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, which runs from $23,000 to $38,700. Total expenses depend on the choice between non-invasive ultrasound or surgical implants and the clinic tier. Patients often save 40-70% compared to the US. Top cities for these treatments include Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Ankara.
Typical Essential Tremor Treatment Costs in Turkey
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients seeking non-surgical solutions should consider MRgFUS at centers like Medipol University PARMER. Their specialized neurosurgery team offers this non-invasive technique for approximately $20,000. For advanced cases, Anadolu Medical Center provides high-value DBS surgery through its Johns Hopkins affiliation. This ensures Western clinical standards at Turkish price points. Medipol PARMER is also ideal for complex surgical needs, led by Dr. Ali Zirh, who holds a Guinness World Record for DBS patient volume.
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Medication treatment for essential tremor | from $250 | from $500 | from $300 |
| Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) | from $10,000 | from $16,000 | from $9,000 |
| Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery | from $23,000 | from $45,000 | from $45,000 |
Over 1,600 Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries performed – Assoc. Prof. Ali Zirh specializes in movement disorders at Medipol University's PARMER Center.
With expertise in MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), Dr. Tonge specializes in advanced, non-invasive treatments for essential tremor at Medipol University.
Dr. Baris Metin specializes in Functional Neuroimaging and Epilepsy at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, with experience in Turkey and Belgium.
The doctor graduated from Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi Medical School and furthered education at the University of California San Francisco. Specializing in Neurophysiology and movement disorders, the doctor focuses on Deep Brain Stimulation and treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, dystonias, tremor, and chorea. The doctor is actively involved in research and is a member of several prestigious associations, including the Turkish Neurology Society and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society.
Expertise extends to clinical neurophysiology, sleep disorders, botulinum toxin applications, cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, dementia, and neuromuscular diseases.
Essential tremor treatment in Turkey typically costs from around Price on request to Price on request for surgical procedures. Specialist consultations generally range from approximately $100 to $200, which covers an expert evaluation of your movement symptoms.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients can find specialized tremor teams in Istanbul where neurosurgeons and neurologists work together. These teams often include specialists like Dr. Ali Zirh, who has performed 1,000+ deep brain stimulation procedures. This team approach is vital because it ensures the stimulator is programmed perfectly after the surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients were happy that Turkish clinics organized everything from airport pickups to medical translators. They noted that the hospital rooms felt more like comfortable hotel suites than clinical wards.
Qualified specialists in Turkey hold board certification from the Turkish Board of Neurological Surgery. They often belong to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. To verify expertise, look for doctors who have performed over 1,000 deep brain stimulation procedures at JCI-accredited hospitals.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows top Turkish neurosurgeons often practice at university-affiliated hospitals like Medipol or Memorial. These specialists frequently participate in clinical trials for MR-guided focused ultrasound. This means they can offer non-surgical options that general neurosurgeons might not provide.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling relieved when doctors show them videos of previous successful tremor treatments. They felt more at ease knowing their specialist moved between several top-rated clinics in Istanbul. Most were surprised by how thoroughly the medical teams explained the precision required for brain mapping.
Neurologists and functional neurosurgeons treat essential tremor in Turkey using medications and advanced brain surgeries. They focus on movement disorders to offer precise diagnoses and specialized tremor management plans. Specialists at centers like Medipol and Anadolu perform deep brain stimulation (DBS) and focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey's leading neurosurgeons often have experience with over 1,500 DBS procedures. This high volume means they can handle complex cases that require precise lead placement. Specialists like Dr. Ali Zirh at Medipol PARMER offer specialized expertise in surgical neuromodulation.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling relieved after moving from general neurologists to dedicated movement disorder teams. They notice that the specialized clinics in Istanbul provide more focused care for hand tremors.
Scheduling a consultation for essential tremor in Turkey usually takes around one week. You can typically arrange surgery like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) within two to four weeks. Medical teams often respond to your initial request for information in under 48 hours.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients can access top neurosurgeons in Istanbul like Dr. Ali Zirh, who has performed 1,000+ DBS procedures. This high level of experience often speeds up the surgical planning process for patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients were impressed by how quickly they moved from the airport to the hospital. They noted that translators made communicating with the surgical team immediate and stress-free.
Turkish essential tremor doctors communicate effectively by using fluent English and international medical training. Many specialists earned fellowships in the US or Europe. This helps them explain complex procedures like deep brain stimulation (DBS) clearly. Bookimed manages all scheduling and translation services to bridge any language gaps.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a specialist like Assoc. Prof. Ali Zirh at Medipol Mega University Hospital is beneficial. He has performed 1,000+ successful DBS procedures and often provides clear, step-by-step guidance. Doctors with such high volume are typically more adept at explaining technical surgical sensations to patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling surprised by how well the medical staff speaks English. They describe doctors who take time to explain MRI results without rushing the conversation. Many felt reassured during surgery because the surgeons talked them through each movement adjustment.
When meeting a surgeon in Turkey for essential tremor, ask about their experience with DBS and incisionless ultrasound. Clarify if you need treatment on one or both sides. Ensure they have board certification in neurosurgery. This ensures your surgeon has the specific training to perform complex brain procedures safely.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many top neurosurgeons in Turkey specialize in both DBS and MRgFUS. This is important because surgeons who offer both can give unbiased advice on which method fits you. For example, some specialists prefer MRgFUS for single-sided tremors to avoid invasive implants.
Patient Consensus: Patients are often surprised by how quickly they see results during the procedure. Many felt most relieved when the surgeon explained how they would monitor speech and movement in real-time.
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Turkish government. The Turkish authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 77 billion liras for healthcare annually.
As a result, 28,000 medical facilities provide excellent medical care in the country. About 50 centers have certificate of JCI (Joint Commission International), the international improver of healthcare quality and safety across the globe. The index of certificates obtained is the largest. To compare, Israel has 20 JCI-accredited facilities, and Germany — only 10 clinics of this type.
| Currency | lira (you also can pay for services in dollars and euros) |
| Best period for the trip | May-October |
| Language | Turkish (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
| Visa | is not required for a trip of at least 30 days per visit |
| Time difference with Europe | 3 hours |
| Time difference with the USA | 8 hours |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Medical tourism center | Istanbul |
| Popular resorts | Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Marmaris |
In Turkey, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. The level of Turkish hotels is comparable to hotels in Tunisia, Morocco or Egypt. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
The main advantage of Turkish resorts is the long beach season. On the Mediterranean coast, it starts in April and lasts until November. In the resorts of the Aegean Sea — from May to October. The most comfortable time for swimming is from mid-June to the end of October. A large influx of tourists is in July-August, when the air temperature is +38°C, and the water warms up to +27°C.
In 2020, the Republic of Turkey has visa-free agreements with 89 states. Some foreigners are exempted from obtaining entry visas, others are required to receive an electronic visa (e-Visa), and still others must apply for a visa at Turkish missions abroad.
What states need a visa for treatment in Turkey and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to Turkey require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes: