Defence Minister opens new military hospital in Gqeberha

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga inaugurated a new military hospital at the Forest Hill base in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, with a budget of R625 million. The state-of-the-art facility aims to enhance the wellbeing of military personnel and their families, while bolstering the military health system's ability to deliver high-quality, accessible healthcare services.

Equipped with a modern diagnostic center, radiology services, an on-site pharmacy, and rehabilitation facilities, the hospital promises to provide comprehensive care.

Minister Motshekga emphasized the dual mission of serving soldiers and extending support to underserved rural communities. She stated, "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."

Motshekga reiterated the commitment to provide soldiers with the respect and integrity they deserve, adding, "If you can put your life on the line like police and soldiers, you deserve all the respect and integrity."

Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) highlighted the facility's positive impact on the lives of defence force members and their families. He explained, "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 expressed the significance of having a local healthcare facility for deployed personnel and their families, stating, "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."