Woman's death during Brazilian butt-lift surgery sparks calls for meeting with Turkey
A string of deaths, including Melissa Kerr's in 2019 during risky plastic surgery in Istanbul, has prompted the UK government to hold talks with Turkish officials.
A string of deaths has pushed the UK government to begin talks with Turkish officials about medical and cosmetic tourism.
The move follows the death of Melissa Kerr, 31, in 2019 during buttock enlargement surgery at Istanbul's private Medicana Haznedar Hospital.
A coroner has expressed concern that people, including Kerr, were not properly informed about the risk involved before travelling.
Health Minister Maria Caulfield reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the problem, stating that officials from the Department of Health and Social Care would be visiting Turkey soon to meet with their Turkish counterparts.
A coroner's investigation revealed in September that Ms Kerr, of Gorleston, Norfolk, died as a result of a clot that migrated to her lungs while undergoing Brazilian butt-lift surgery (BBL).
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According to the findings, BBL procedures pose the greatest risk of any cosmetic surgery intervention.
The United Kingdom has imposed a moratorium on such operations due to the associated risks.
Ms Caulfield has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the Kerr family.
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The Conservative minister emphasised the importance of learning from Ms Kerr's experience in order to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
She said: "It is particularly important that those considering having the Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) procedure are made fully aware of the risks and have time to reflect fully on their decision ahead of surgery,
"The risk of death for BBL surgery is at least 10 times higher than many other cosmetic procedures."
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