Istanbul Airport Health Services - Medical Care at IST
Quick answer: Istanbul Airport (IST) has a full medical centre run by Medicana, with clinics before and after security that operate around the clock, plus first-aid teams throughout the single terminal. There are pharmacies on the departure floor, including a 24-hour one. In a medical emergency anywhere in Turkey, dial 112 for an ambulance, or head to the nearest information desk and staff will call the airport medical team.
Falling ill or getting hurt at an airport is stressful, especially in a country you do not know. The good news is that IST, as one of the world's busiest hubs, keeps professional medical care and pharmacies available at all hours. Here is a rundown of Istanbul Airport medical services and how to reach them quickly.
The airport medical centre and clinics
Medical care at IST is provided by the Medicana Airport Medical Center. It runs outpatient clinics and infirmaries on both the landside (before security) and the airside (after security), so you can be seen whether you have already passed through passport control or not. Clinical cover is available 24 hours a day.
The clinics handle everyday travel-health needs: minor injuries, sudden illness, blood-pressure and basic diagnostics, prescriptions and referrals. Because everything is under one roof in a single terminal, mobile teams with buggies can reach you quickly if you cannot walk to a clinic, and transfer ambulances are on hand for anything serious.
Pharmacies at the airport
There are several pharmacies on the departure floor. The best known, Melike Sultan Pharmacy, sits near entrance gates 6 and 13 and is open 24 hours, so you can buy common medicines, travel essentials and over-the-counter remedies at any time. If you have already passed passport control and cannot leave the airside, ask at the nearest information desk: the airport offers a free medicine-delivery service that brings your purchase to you.
In a medical emergency
For any serious situation, the single nationwide emergency number in Turkey is 112, which covers ambulances and all medical emergencies. Inside the terminal you do not need to find a phone: go to the nearest information or airline desk and staff will alert the on-site Medicana team, who dispatch first responders across the terminal. First-aid personnel at IST are certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and the medical vehicles carry equipment such as defibrillators and ECG units for stabilising patients before transfer to a hospital if needed.
At a glance
| Service | Where | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Medical clinics (Medicana) | Landside and airside | 24 hours |
| Pharmacy (Melike Sultan) | Departure floor, near gates 6 and 13 | 24 hours |
| First-aid teams | Throughout the terminal (mobile) | 24 hours |
| Emergency (ambulance) | Dial 112, or any information desk | 24 hours |
Practical tips for travellers
- Keep essential medicines in your carry-on, not checked luggage, along with a copy of the prescription in case you are asked at security.
- Travel insurance that covers medical care abroad is worth having; the airport clinic can treat you, but hospital care in Turkey is not free for visitors.
- If you take regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip. The pharmacy stocks common items, but specific brands or prescription-only drugs may not be available without a local prescription.
- For accessibility or reduced-mobility help getting to a clinic, see our assistance and reduced-mobility services page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a doctor at Istanbul Airport? Yes. The Medicana Airport Medical Center runs clinics on both the landside and airside, staffed around the clock for travel-health needs and emergencies.
Is there a 24-hour pharmacy at IST? Yes. Melike Sultan Pharmacy on the departure floor, near entrance gates 6 and 13, is open 24 hours. A free delivery service can bring medicine to you if you are already past passport control.
What is the emergency number in Turkey? Dial 112 for an ambulance and all medical emergencies. Inside the terminal you can also alert any information or airline desk to reach the on-site medical team.
Do I need insurance to use the airport clinic? You can be treated without it, but care is charged, so travel insurance covering medical costs abroad is strongly recommended.
Sources: Istanbul Airport (istairport.com) health services and pharmacy pages, and Medicana Airport Medical Center. Services, locations and hours can change, so check official sources before you travel. Details reflect 2026.
About the author
Anastasia Maisuradze writes about Istanbul Airport end to end, from transport and terminals to the practical services travellers need on the day they fly.
