Anadolu Medical Center
Anadolu Medical Center
Turkey, Istanbul
Zafer Gulbas
49 years of experience • 3315+ treatments performed
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Dr. Zafer Gulbas founded and directs Turkey’s largest Bone Marrow Transplant Center at Anadolu Medical Center. He is a hematologist-oncologist specializing in complex blood cancers and clotting disorders. Dr. Gulbas trained at top global institutions, including MD Anderson and Fred Hutchinson in the USA. He performs autologous and allogeneic transplants for leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia.
Dr. Kadri Yamac is an internist and hematologist. He earned his medical degree from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine (1976–1982). He completed Internal Medicine training at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (1984–1989). He then completed a Hematology subspecialty at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (1990–1993). He became an Associate Professor at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in 1995. He was promoted to Professor in 2002.
Medical interests: anemias, coagulation disorders, hemochromatosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymph node diseases, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dr. Serdar Bedii Omay is a hematologist-oncologist at Emsey Hospital in Istanbul. He has published over 60 scientific articles on hematology and bone marrow transplantation. Dr. Omay earned a PhD from Mie Medical School in Japan. He treats adult and pediatric patients with complex blood disorders.
Dr. Betul Tavil is a professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at Memorial Şişli Hospital. She has successfully treated 500+ children with leukemia. Dr. Tavil is an expert in bone marrow transplantation for complex cases. She manages rare blood disorders, including congenital erythropoietic porphyria and immunodeficiencies. Memorial Şişli Hospital is JCI-accredited and maintains a 90% organ transplant success rate.
Turkish hematology centers offer comprehensive treatments for hemolytic anemia, including bone marrow transplants, immunosuppressive therapy, and surgical splenectomy. Specialized units at JCI-accredited clinics like Anadolu Medical Center and Medipol Mega provide definitive curative options for inherited conditions like sickle cell and thalassemia through advanced stem cell transplantation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey stands out for scale, with units like Medipol Mega and Emsey Hospital operating 45-bed bone marrow transplant centers. This high capacity allows Professor Dr. Zafer Gulbas at Anadolu to maintain an 81% success rate for autologous transplants. Patients often choose these centers because they combine high-volume experience with direct affiliations to major US medical institutions.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need for a precise hematology workup first, as the specific cause determines whether they receive steroids or a transfusion. Many note that while transfusions bring immediate relief, consistent follow-up testing is essential because the underlying hemolysis may still be active.
Turkish hospitals utilize high-resolution hemoglobin electrophoresis and direct antiglobulin tests to identify hemolytic anemia types. JCI-accredited centers in Istanbul perform advanced flow cytometry and genetic panels to distinguish between inherited and acquired disorders. Diagnosis often involves board-certified hematologists from institutions like Anadolu Medical Center.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many general hospitals provide basic blood counts, centers like Anadolu Medical Center and Medipol Mega offer specialized Bone Marrow Transplant units and flow cytometry. These facilities handle a massive volume of complex blood disorders annually. Choosing a clinic with an integrated flow cytometry lab ensures faster results for rare hemolytic subtypes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of requesting a complete hemolysis panel early. They also note that recent blood transfusions can sometimes interfere with testing accuracy.
Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is used in Turkey as a curative treatment for severe hemolytic anemias. Specialists perform this procedure for inherited conditions like thalassemia major and sickle cell disease. JCI-accredited centers in Istanbul provide these complex hematopoietic stem cell transplants for children and adults.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many view BMT as a general procedure, Turkish centers like Medipol Mega and Emsey Hospital offer specialized pediatric-focused units. This specialization is critical because inherited hemolytic anemias are often diagnosed in childhood. Choosing a center with a large bed capacity typically ensures shorter waiting times for life-saving donor matching.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that a precise subtype diagnosis is necessary before considering a transplant. They mention that Turkish hematologists focus on BMT as a last-resort but potentially curative option for severe disease.
Turkish haematology centres provide comprehensive care for haemolytic anaemia. This care ranges from first-line corticosteroids to bone marrow transplants. Specialist hubs in Istanbul use JCI-accredited protocols. These include monoclonal antibody therapies like Rituximab and therapeutic plasmapheresis. Leading specialists often hold international credentials from leading US and European institutions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey's expertise in haemolytic anaemia is tied to its massive bone marrow transplant infrastructure. For example, Emsey Hospital operates a 45-bed transplant unit. It is one of the region's largest. Dr Zafer Gulbas at Anadolu Medical Center has performed over 3,000 transplants. This high volume allows Turkish specialists to manage complex cases. Smaller international units might refer such cases elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey follow a step-up approach. They start with internal medicine before seeing haematologists. They report that steroids effectively raise haemoglobin. Rituximab serves as a reliable secondary option for autoimmune cases.
Turkish haematology centres report a 95% initial response rate for first-line treatment. This treatment for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) uses corticosteroids. Specialist facilities in Istanbul achieve survival rates near 90% at 36 months. Long-term management often includes rituximab or splenectomy. This addresses the chronic nature of the condition.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Anadolu Medical Center performs over 3,000 transplants. It reports an 81% success rate for complex bone marrow procedures. This high volume suggests that patients with refractory AIHA benefit from the extensive experience of specialists. One example is Prof. Dr Zafer Gulbas. Choosing a high-volume centre is critical for managing chronic relapsing cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that steroids work quickly. However, rituximab may take several weeks to improve haemoglobin levels. Many achieve long-term stability. Still, individuals in Turkey often prepare for ongoing monitoring due to the chronic nature of the disease.
Leading Turkish haematology centres include Anadolu Medical Center, Medipol Mega University Hospital, and Memorial Şişli Hospital. These JCI-accredited facilities specialise in bone marrow transplants and complex blood disorders. Patients access advanced therapies through English-speaking specialists. These include haploidentical stem cell transplants and immunotherapy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many centres treat blood disorders, the volume gap is significant for complex cases. Medipol Mega serves 1,000,000 patients annually. Specialised units like Emsey focus on large-scale capacity with 45 transplant beds. Choosing a university-affiliated hospital gives access to multidisciplinary boards for rare anaemias.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that prioritising English-speaking diagnostic centres in Turkey helps with clear communication during complex blood testing. Those seeking care emphasise the importance of straightforward access to specialists at large university hospitals.
Turkish clinics provide integrated concierge support including airport transfers, hotel coordination, and dedicated multilingual coordinators. JCI-accredited facilities like Anadolu Medical Center and Emsey Hospital offer end-to-end logistics. These services cover official visa invitation letters and medical interpreters. They also offer 24/7 assistance through personal case managers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish clinics often assign a single point of contact via WhatsApp for daily scheduling. Data shows high-volume centres like Medipol Mega serve over 1,000,000 patients annually. This massive scale means logistical departments handle visa invitation letters and hotel bookings within minutes. Confirmation of these specific inclusions prevents unexpected costs for Australian travellers.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey value using food delivery apps during early recovery. They also value having explicit daily instructions from hosts. Practical wisdom suggests confirming whether scalp washes, medications, and compression garments are included in the final package.