Turkey Moves to Restore Military Hospitals Nine Years After Post-Coup Closures

Turkey to Re-establish Dedicated Military Medical Facilities

Turkey is set to restore its military hospitals, a significant policy shift occurring nine years after these facilities were closed in the aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt. The initiative primarily focuses on returning the Gülhane Teaching and Research Hospital (GATA) in Ankara to its former status as a full military hospital.

The original decision in 2016 saw the military status of these hospitals revoked and their administration transferred to the Health Ministry via an emergency decree. This change affected 32 military hospitals and one rehabilitation center across 26 provinces. At the time, officials stated that centralizing control under a civilian authority would enhance efficiency and oversight.

Impact of the 2016 Closures and Calls for Restoration

The closure of military hospitals in 2016 led to a significant reduction in specialized military medical capacity, a concern voiced by critics who argued it weakened frontline care. Following the restructuring, approximately 2,043 military doctors either retired or transitioned to the private sector.

The need for dedicated military medical support has become increasingly apparent, particularly in light of recent cross-border operations. For instance, during Operation Claw Lock, conducted in northern Iraq from April 2022 to February 2024, 145 Turkish soldiers were killed, and 47 died after being evacuated to hospitals within Turkey. This highlighted a critical gap in medical support for deployed units, as civilian medical training is often not a direct substitute for specialized military medical practice.

Strategic Reassessment and Future Plans

Deputy Defense Minister Şuay Alpay previously informed a parliamentary defense committee about a shortage of military surgeons, underscoring the necessity for this restoration. Analysts have also pointed out that the absence of dedicated military hospitals distinguishes Turkey from many of its international counterparts, such as Austria with three, Germany with five, and France with eight military hospitals.

Beyond the planned restoration of GATA, Turkey has already taken steps to bolster its military health infrastructure. In 2024, a new 100-bed military hospital was opened in Kyrenia, located in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), to serve Turkish troops stationed there. Additionally, historical military medical facilities like the Kasımpaşa Military Naval Hospital in Istanbul and the Edirne Central Military Hospital are also slated for restoration.