SWOT ANALYSIS OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION TREATMENTS IN MEDICAL TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Year 2025, Volume: 28 Issue: 2, 329 - 348, 28.06.2025

Ayşe Arslan , Levent Bekir Kıdak

https://doi.org/10.61859/hacettepesid.1600590

Abstract

The momentum in health tourism is rapidly increasing. Individuals are traveling to different countries to receive high-quality, economical, and reliable healthcare services unavailable in their home countries. The significant rise in demand has led to a critical role for countries in this domain. Achieving competitive strategies is feasible by employing appropriate analytical methods to obtain accurate results. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments within the medical tourism sector in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) through a SWOT analysis. This analysis reveals TRNC's strategic position and competitive advantages in the field of IVF treatments. Among the strengths of TRNC are its developing technological infrastructure, high-quality healthcare services, and a competent team of experts. These factors contribute to an environment conducive to medical tourists and position TRNC as a competitive player in the medical tourism sector. However, certain weaknesses, such as the absence of international accreditation, limited infrastructure, and high operational costs, negatively impact its competitive strength and service quality. The opportunities include the increasing demand from international patients and the advancement of digital healthcare technologies, which could help TRNC expand its market share on the international stage. Conversely, intensifying international competition and economic uncertainties pose significant threats to the medical tourism market. In conclusion, to enhance and sustain its competitive power in the IVF market, it is recommended that TRNC undertake strategic measures focusing on obtaining international accreditation, embracing digital technologies, managing costs effectively, and improving operational processes.

Keywords

Medical Tourism , In vitro Fertilization Treatments , SWOT Analysis

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma etik kurul izni gerektirmemektedir.

MEDİKAL TURİZM ALANINDA TÜP BEBEK TEDAVİLERİNE İLİŞKİN SWOT ANALİZİ: KUZEY KIBRIS TÜRK CUMHURİYETİ ÖRNEĞİ

Abstract

Sağlık turizminde ivme hızla artmaktadır. İnsanlar, bulundukları ülkeden kaliteli, ekonomik ve güvenilir sağlık hizmeti almak amacıyla farklı ülkelere seyahat etmektedir. Talebin bu denli artması ülkeler nezdinde kritik rol oynamaktadır. Rekabetçi stratejiler belirlemek, doğru analiz yöntemlerinin kullanılması ve doğru sonuçlar elde edilmesi ile mümkündür. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (KKTC) bölgesinde medikal turizmde yer alan tüp bebek tedavilerine yönelik SWOT analizi kullanılarak güçlü ve zayıf yönlerini, fırsatlarını ve tehditlerini değerlendirmek amaçlanmaktadır. Bu analiz, tüp bebek tedavileri alanında KKTC’nin stratejik konumunu ve rekabet avantajlarını ortaya koymaktadır. KKTC’nin güçlü yönleri arasında, gelişen teknolojik altyapısı, kaliteli sağlık hizmetleri ve yetkin uzman kadrosu sayılabilir. Bu faktörler medikal turistler için uygun ve elverişli olmakta ve KKTC’nin medikal turizm sektöründe rekabetçi bir konuma gelmesini sağlamaktadır. Ancak uluslararası akreditasyona sahip olmaması, altyapının sınırlı olması, operasyonel maliyetlerin yüksek olması gibi zayıf yönler de olduğu görülmektedir. Bu faktörler de rekabetçi gücünü ve hizmet kalitesini olumsuz etkilemektedir. Fırsatlar arasında ise, uluslararası hasta talebinin artması ve dijital sağlık teknolojilerinin artış göstermesi sayılabilir. Bu fırsatlar KKTC için uluslararası alanda sektörel payını genişletmesine destek sağlayabilir. Uluslararası rekabetin artması ve ekonomik belirsizlikler tehdit edici faktörler arasında belirtilebilir. Bu faktörler de KKTC için medikal turizm pazarında risk teşkil etmektedir. Sonuç olarak, KKTC'nin tüp bebek pazarındaki rekabet gücünü artırıp sürdürülebilirliğini sağlamak amacıyla, özellikle uluslararası akreditasyon, dijital teknoloji, maliyet yönetimi ve süreç iyileştirme konularında stratejik adımlar atması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Medikal Turizm , Tüp Bebek Tedavileri , SWOT Analizi

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