Patients from Senegal: urological surgery in Istanbul
A direct flight from Dakar and a consultation in French with an interpreter. This page sets out the practical points.
About 6–7 hours on a direct flight from Dakar
Direct flights connect Dakar with Istanbul, and connecting options also exist. Connections lengthen the journey considerably; after an operation, choose the shortest routing rather than the cheapest.
The medical consultation is held in French, with an interpreter arranged before the appointment. The international patient coordinator works in English, so written correspondence can be in either language.
Payment is usually settled in euros. The CFA franc is not used in Turkey. Tell your bank you are travelling and check the limits that apply to international transactions before you leave.
Visa
Visa rules vary with the type of passport and are updated from time to time. Because wrong information could leave you stranded at the airport, we do not state the rule here; check your own position with the official source.
Let the remote review do the work
Before buying a ticket, have your file reviewed remotely. Send blood tests, imaging and any pathology report. Three answers are possible: the trip is worthwhile and the plan is clear; further investigation is needed first and can be done in Senegal; or the procedure you were considering is not required. All three save you time and money.
Bring the images, not only the report
Many patients arrive with a printed report but without the scan itself. A written description is not enough for surgical planning: the surgeon needs to see the images. Ask your hospital for the CT or MRI on a disc or as digital files before you leave; this one step often saves a lost day and the cost of a repeat scan.
The flight is part of the medical plan
A long flight is not merely logistics. After some operations, travelling too soon raises the risk of clots in the legs. Flight clearance is therefore given as a date, and for long journeys we are more cautious than the figures stated on the treatment pages. A changeable ticket is advisable.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa?
Rules vary with passport type and change over time, so we do not state them here. Check your position with the official Turkish source before booking.
Can the consultation be in French?
Yes. An interpreter is arranged ahead of the appointment. We do not promise permanent French-speaking cover; it is organised for your consultation.
Who follows me up after I return?
Follow-up is done remotely, and reports are written so that a doctor in Senegal can continue your care without consulting us at every step.
Let us review your file
If you have test results, imaging or a pathology report, share them in advance and avoid having investigations repeated unnecessarily.
Back to the international patients page: ME Urology Clinic