THEBEACH Summer 2014 | Page 65

THE BEACH | MAGAZINE Many people seem to complain of the ‘Turkey trots’. This can simply be caused by having a really cold drink when you are feeling hot and de-hydrated! Better to follow the Turks and have a glass of tea, until you have cooled down. Stings: Sea urchins will leave broken thorns in one’s foot/hand. These should NOT be extracted with a needle or similar like an ordinary splinter since they will break into small pieces and are slightly poisonous. Cover the foot or hand with a sock soaked in olive oil or similar overnight. You will probably be able to squeeze the small pieces out in the morning. Wasps do tend to come visiting at dawn and dusk, especially if they smell food. It is a good idea to bring the antidote with you. If you find yourself very allergic, chemists sell the antidote and will advise you where you can have the injection done if they cannot do so themselves. Most Chemists in the Oludeniz area stay open till about 11 pm during the summer months. Take care to eat food that is recently cooked, and when choosing a delicious assortment of ‘meze’ (the Turkish starters), choose a busy restaurant! This information may seem un-necessary but western stomachs may not so used to richer Turkish dishes. Keeping off cold drinks and eating very plain food for a couple of days will probably cure you. However if you suspect food-poisoning it is advisable to see a doctor. 63 Snakes and scorpions: The best way to avoid them is to look where you are going! Having said this the more expensive hotels do safeguard against them using pesticides etc. Scorpions tend to be nocturnal, therefore it is better not to walk on the beach barefoot in the evening! Also check towels and shoes which have been left out overnight. Scorpions are not very poisonous, however pain and difficulty of mobility in the affected area can be avoided by taking the antidote if you are quite sure that you have actually seen the scorpion. There are 2 health cabins in the Oludeniz area which can administer the antidote. HEALTH TOURISM IN TURKEY urkey is home to many of the plants now used in alternative medicine and surprising as it may seem has developed a very professional approach to health care over the last 20 years The Turkish Government invests almost 10% of its gross domestic product in countrywide health care schemes. In 2008 through the whole country only 8 cases of measles were reported. In short all Turkish citizens now have access to excellent medical facilities. Privately funded hospitals are found in all the larger towns many subsidized by the government. T Such is the case in Fethiye which now has two large private hospitals and various smaller clinics. The standard of care is excellent especially in one of them (no advertising allowed..sorry). The matron of a London hospital group visiting the area, was astounded by this professional approach of the hospital. She had never seen patients so well attended, each looked after by a private attendant while in the hospital. Recently Dentistry has joined the ‘Health Market’ due to the excellence of dental work, the speed with which work is completed and the very reasonable prices offered. EYES AND GLASSES. There is an excellent private Eye hospital which has all the modern equipment you would expect to find in Europe. If you are looking to buy a new a pair of glasses the Optician can measure your lenses and within a couple of days provide you with a new pair of glasses at a very reasonable price.