Medicana Health Group Acquires Jewish Hospital Berlin, Securing 820 Jobs
Berlin, July 10 – The Jewish Hospital Berlin (JKB) has been acquired by the Turkish Medicana Health Group, marking the first time a Turkish hospital company has taken over a healthcare facility in Germany. The acquisition, confirmed by a notarized contract on Thursday, July 9, concludes the insolvency proceedings that began in December 2025. The move secures all 820 existing jobs and ensures the uninterrupted continuation of medical operations, pending final approval from the Senate Department for Health.
Insolvency Overcome: A New Chapter for JKB
The JKB filed for insolvency in December 2025 due to economic difficulties, mirroring challenges faced by many hospitals in Germany, including rising costs, stagnant revenues, and structural underfunding. Despite these hurdles, the hospital successfully maintained full operations throughout the insolvency process, a fact highlighted by insolvency administrator Friedemann Schade of BRL law firm.
“The process was orderly and led to an outcome that considers the interests of all parties involved,” Schade stated, emphasizing the successful navigation of a complex financial situation.
Medicana’s Entry into the German Healthcare Market
Medicana Health Group, a family-owned company based in Istanbul, is a major player in the healthcare sector. Founded and led by Hüseyin Bozkurt, the group boasts 35 years of experience, operates 19 hospitals across Turkey and other European countries, and employs nearly 15,000 people. Medicana provides care to approximately five million patients annually.
The group’s international presence includes Medicana Winchester in the UK and Medicana Sarajevo Hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside ten international health offices that coordinate patient flows to its Turkish facilities. The acquisition of JKB represents a significant milestone, as it is Medicana’s inaugural venture into directly providing hospital care in Germany.
Commitment to Jobs, Services, and Historical Heritage
Under the terms of the acquisition, Medicana has committed to safeguarding all existing jobs at the JKB. The hospital, with its 384 beds, offers a wide range of specialized medical services, including cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, trauma surgery, psychiatry, and psychotherapy. Medicana has pledged to continue these operations without interruption and to further develop the medical infrastructure.
Brit Ismer, Chairwoman of the JKB Board, underscored the importance of Medicana’s commitment to the hospital’s unique identity. “Crucial for us were not only medical expertise and economic stability but also the willingness to respect and continue the special history and identity of our institution,” she explained.
The JKB, founded in 1756, is the oldest operational Jewish hospital in Germany. It played a vital role during the Nazi era and World War II, offering refuge to Jewish individuals. Medicana has acknowledged this profound historical legacy, stating in its press release that it is “aware of the historical responsibility of the institution and its cultural and religious traditions.” The group further affirmed its unconditional commitment to “the necessary respect and due diligence towards the historical heritage of the hospital and the rights of the Jewish community.”
A Strategic Step for European Expansion
For Medicana, entering the German market is a pivotal move in its broader European growth strategy. The company plans further hospital openings across Europe, starting with Romania, with Berlin serving as a reference point and a bridge to the German and European healthcare markets.
The final approval from the Senate Department for Health is the last remaining condition for the acquisition to be fully realized, paving the way for a new chapter in the history of the Jewish Hospital Berlin under Medicana’s stewardship.
