Hospital accompaniment
When you see a doctor in Türkiye, make sure every word you say is understood correctly
When you fall ill in a foreign country, the biggest worry is not being able to describe your symptoms or understand the diagnosis. Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) Chinese-speaking companions book hospital appointments, stay with you during the consultation and interpret on the spot; they also translate reports and discharge summaries into Chinese, making it easy to share them with your family or your doctor in China.
Complete communication with your doctor at a Turkish hospital
Public, university or private hospital: your insurance decides
Hospitals in Türkiye are broadly divided into public hospitals, university hospitals and private hospitals. Public hospitals are relatively affordable, but you may have to wait for consultations and tests; private hospitals offer quick appointments and comfortable surroundings, and many have an international patient unit, but fees are higher. Which hospital to choose depends largely on your insurance: SGK (Türkiye's Social Security Institution), private health insurance and travel insurance all have different coverage.
In life-threatening situations such as chest pain, shortness of breath, serious injury or loss of consciousness, call 112 first and then contact us. 112 is Türkiye's single emergency number; the operator may speak only Turkish or limited English, and we can help interpret via phone or video link. For non-urgent conditions, an outpatient appointment can be booked.
An accompaniment day, from appointment to e-Nabız results
Before the consultation, we learn about your symptoms, medical history, medications and insurance status, recommend a suitable hospital and department, and book the appointment. On the day, our companion meets you at the hospital and helps with registration and payment; during the consultation, they convey your symptoms accurately to the doctor and interpret the doctor's questions, diagnosis and instructions for you. They also stay with you for tests, collecting medication and follow-up appointments.
After the consultation, we translate test reports, discharge summaries and prescriptions into Chinese to make communication with your family or your doctor in China easier. In Türkiye, test results can usually be viewed through the hospital system or e-Nabız (the national personal health record system), and we show you how to use it. If an insurance claim is needed, we help prepare the invoices, reports and forms and communicate with the insurance company.
Write down your symptoms in Chinese, and don't switch medicines on your own
The most common problem is not being able to describe symptoms and medical history. Before the consultation, we recommend writing down in Chinese when your symptoms started, where they are, how severe they are and which medications you take, and bringing previous test reports. Another issue is medication: many medicines commonly used in China are sold in Türkiye under different brand names, and some require a prescription; switching medicines on your own is risky.
We would also like to remind you that our companion is not a doctor and does not give medical advice; diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by the hospital's doctor. Our role is to make sure communication between you and the doctor is accurate and complete, so that you truly understand your condition and the instructions. If you would like a second opinion, we can help you book an appointment with another doctor and interpret.
For anyone who may need to see a doctor in Türkiye
Chinese residents of Türkiye
Those who need reliable communication in Chinese for routine consultations, check-ups or chronic condition monitoring. Patients with chronic conditions need to explain their long-term medications and medical history to the doctor. Accurate interpreting helps the doctor understand your condition better.
Those taken ill on a business trip
Those who suddenly fall ill or are injured during a short visit and need to see a doctor quickly. Not knowing the local hospitals or whether insurance will cover the costs adds to the worry. We help you find a suitable hospital and interpret during the consultation. If there is a threat to life, call 112 first.
Families with children or elderly members
Consultations for children, obstetrics and gynaecology, or elderly patients require careful and patient interpreting. Children may not be able to describe their symptoms, and elderly people may have hearing difficulties or several chronic conditions. Our companion communicates patiently and helps the family note down the doctor's instructions.
Companies seeking health support for employees
Workplace accidents or employee illness require coordination between the hospital, insurer and company. Reporting and following up workplace accidents involves Türkiye's social security and occupational safety rules. Legal and insurance assessments are made by specialists; we support communication and translation.
Accompaniment scope, from appointments to insurance paperwork
Hospital recommendations and appointments
We recommend a private or public hospital based on the department and your insurance status, and book the appointment. Private hospitals usually take appointments by phone or online, while public hospitals generally use the official appointment system. We explain how hospitals generally work.
Interpreting during consultations
We accompany you through registration, consultation, tests and collecting medication, accurately interpreting your symptoms, medical history and the doctor's instructions. We relay the doctor's diagnosis and medication instructions point by point. If anything is unclear, you can ask the doctor for an explanation right away.
Translation of reports and discharge summaries
Test reports, discharge summaries and prescriptions are translated into Chinese and can also be provided in writing. A written translation makes communication with your doctor in China or your family easier. If a translation for official purposes is needed, it can be planned separately.
Insurance paperwork
We help prepare the invoices, reports and forms needed for insurance claims and communicate with the insurance company. Insurers differ in their network hospitals, pre-approval and document requirements. It is best to confirm your policy terms before the consultation.
Emergency support
In emergencies, we provide remote interpreting by phone or video and send a companion as quickly as possible. In life-threatening situations, call the 112 Emergency Call Centre first, then contact us. Remote interpreting helps you communicate with medical staff while you wait.
Service summary and requirements
| Service hours | Scheduled accompaniment + 24/7 contact in emergencies |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Hourly, half-day or full-day quotation |
| Hospital types | Private and public hospitals |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Passport or residence card
- Health insurance details (policy number, company)
- Previous medical records and current medications, if any
- A summary of symptoms and preferred consultation time
From the moment you message us to your follow-up appointment
- 1
Contact us
Tell us your symptoms, location and insurance status via WeChat or phone. If you have previous reports or medications you take, send us photos. In emergencies, call 112 first.
- 2
Appointment
A suitable hospital and department are recommended and the appointment time is confirmed. We remind you of the documents and paperwork to bring. If preparation is needed, such as fasting before tests, we let you know in advance.
- 3
Consultation accompaniment
We meet you at the hospital and accompany and interpret throughout. From registration to consultation, and from tests to payment and collecting medication, our companion stays by your side. The doctor's advice is interpreted immediately and the main points are noted for you.
- 4
Reports and follow-up
Reports are translated, follow-up dates are flagged and insurance procedures are supported. Once test results are available, we can also accompany you to the follow-up consultation. We help you prepare complete documents for your claim, too.
Frequently asked questions
Is the companion a doctor?
No. Our companion is responsible for communication and interpreting and does not give medical advice; diagnosis and treatment are carried out by the hospital's doctor. If you have questions about a diagnosis, we can help you ask the doctor or get another doctor's opinion.
Private or public hospital?
Private hospitals usually offer faster appointments and more comprehensive service, at higher fees; public hospitals are more affordable but waiting times can be long. The choice depends on your insurance coverage. For foreigners without social security in Türkiye, charges at public hospitals may differ, so we recommend confirming in advance.
Can I reach you at night in an emergency?
You can reach us through our emergency contact channel; we first interpret by phone or video and, depending on the situation, send a companion. If there is a threat to life, call 112 first. Arrival time at night depends on your location and traffic.
What documents do I need to see a doctor in Türkiye?
A passport or residence card is usually required; if you have a foreigner identification number, provide that too. If you have insurance, we recommend bringing your policy details, previous reports and the medications you take. Exact requirements may vary by hospital.
Can I find the medicines I use in China at pharmacies in Türkiye?
Many medicines have the same active ingredient but a different brand name, and some medicines are sold only with a prescription in Türkiye. If you photograph the medicine box or ingredient information, we can help you communicate with the pharmacist. Whether a medicine can be substituted is decided by the doctor or pharmacist.
Can you translate my reports into Chinese for my doctor in China?
Yes. We can translate test reports, discharge summaries and prescriptions into Chinese in writing. For imaging results, a CD or digital copy can be requested from the hospital. If the hospital in China requires an officially certified translation, let us know in advance.
Is my privacy protected during accompaniment?
Yes. Our companion keeps your health status and personal information strictly confidential and does not share it with anyone, including your employer, without your permission. A non-disclosure agreement can be signed on request. For employees referred by companies, we share information only to the extent the employee consents.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
