Correspondence by Zinhle Bhuda
The opening of the new R625 million Gqeberha Military Base Hospital is expected to transform healthcare delivery across the Eastern Cape by reducing reliance on costly private healthcare providers while improving access to quality medical services within the province.
The upgraded Forest Hill facility will serve an estimated 9,000 military personnel, military veterans and their families, offering advanced diagnostic suites, emergency care, surgical theatres and specialised rehabilitation services closer to where beneficiaries live.
The hospital represents a significant milestone for the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), having evolved from a basic sick bay established in 2000 into a fully independent medical facility.
Military beneficiaries from Gqeberha, Makhanda, Mthatha and surrounding areas will no longer need to undertake lengthy journeys for specialised consultations, diagnostic procedures and emergency treatment.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya said the hospital will provide much-needed operational relief for military units across the Eastern Cape.
“I’ve got units around the Eastern Cape. Instead of sending someone to Cape Town or Pretoria, it means we are going to save in terms of dealing with problems here,” Maphwanya said.
He added that the facility would provide reassurance to serving members of the defence force.
“There is nothing more pleasing to a soldier than to know that when I’m in deployment, my family will be taken care of, if I’m injured in deployment there are people that will look after me, and when I’m back home there’s a facility that will rehabilitate.”
Military health officials said the fully equipped hospital features a 24-hour emergency unit, surgical theatre, digital radiology services, a pharmacy and rehabilitation facilities, which will significantly reduce dependence on expensive private medical providers.
By providing diagnostic and clinical services in-house, the SAMHS aims to strengthen financial self-reliance while making more efficient use of its healthcare budget.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said that although the hospital’s primary responsibility is to care for soldiers, it will also assist surrounding communities where possible.
“Indeed, for me is to serve the soldiers first, but also to use the expertise that are here at the defence force to reach out to communities where government is unable to reach rural areas and do the great work,” Minister Motshekga said.
