British Tourist Dies After Hair Transplant at CINIK Clinic in Istanbul, Prompting Investigation

A 38-year-old British man died following a hair transplant procedure at the CINIK clinic in Istanbul’s Besiktas district on July 28, 2025, according to Turkish news outlet OdaTV. The five-hour surgery was followed by the man becoming seriously unwell, leading to his urgent transfer to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, where he was later pronounced dead.

The man’s body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy and has since been repatriated to the UK. Turkish police have launched an investigation, treating the case as a possible “reckless homicide.” Clinic staff, including the surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and nurses, have been questioned by authorities.

The CINIK clinic, known for serving high-profile clients like footballers Rio Ferdinand and Rivaldo, stated that the man had a successful hair transplant at their facility in July 2024 and returned for a second procedure. The clinic claims all necessary medical evaluations, including blood work, chest X-ray, and ECG, were conducted under an anaesthesiologist’s supervision, clearing the patient for surgery. They expressed sadness over the incident and assert that proper protocols were followed, as with their 70,000 prior procedures.

An FCDO spokesperson told The Sun, “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.” Turkey, a leading destination for hair transplants due to its affordability and expertise, accounts for nearly 60% of the global hair transplant tourism market, with over one million annual visitors. However, recent cases, including a British woman’s death after cosmetic surgery in 2024, have raised concerns about the risks of medical tourism.

Source: African Publicity