Türkiye opens 100-bed military hospital in Turkish Cyprus

Türkiye is constructing a new 100-bed military hospital in Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The Turkish government closed 32 military hospitals across the country after the failed coup attempt carried out by the Gulenist Terror Group terrorist organization (FETO) on July 15, 2016.

‘Full faith’

Answering questions about the status of military hospitals transferred to the Ministry of Health in 2023, Minister of National Defense Guler said: “Currently, five hospitals and 10 hospitals with full isolation in case of need have been allocated to the Turkish Armed Forces.”

“In addition, we have four mobile hospitals affiliated with the General Directorate of Military Health Services. The secondary health organization in TCG Anadolu, the Girne Military Hospital in the TRNC, and the secondary emergency health service of the two mobile field hospitals of the Ministry of Health are currently with us and they all belong to us,” the defense minister said.

There are currently 137 general practitioners, 89 specialist military physicians and 50 specialist students on the staff of the Ministry of National Defense.

All of them are ranked and officers. In addition, 319 civilian physicians serve on the staff of the Ministry of National Defense.

“Currently, the Health Sciences University belongs to our ministry, it is completely our recruitment. We have 713 medical school students. We have 29 dentistry and 16 pharmacy school students,” Guler added.

“We have full faith that all of these will be done in order in time,” he maintained.

Background, closure of military hospitals

Following the July 15 coup attempt that’s been carried out by the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) terrorist organization, 32 military hospitals in 26 cities were shut down in Türkiye.

Consequently, 2,043 military doctors and war surgery specialists either retired or transitioned to private and civilian hospitals.

The absence of military hospitals has led to a shortage of war surgery specialists amid ongoing conflict against terrorism and cross-border operations against Daesh, PKK/YPG terrorist organizations, necessitating the deployment of civilian doctors in conflict zones.

Domestic Opposition, calls for reopening

The call for reopening military hospitals in Türkiye has been a recurring issue in Parliament and remains a topic that has yet to be thoroughly discussed.

Turhan Comez, Deputy Chairman of the opposition the Good Party (IP), has underscored the critical need for military hospitals in Türkiye, particularly given the region’s volatile geopolitical environment.

“In a region like Türkiye, surrounded by risks and threats, the absence of military hospitals is a significant concern. The immediate reopening of these facilities is crucial for national security. There is a severe lack of infrastructure and equipment, especially at Ankara GATA,” Comez said.

Reports indicate former military doctors there are facing pressure to leave, he highlighted, adding that the new Minister of Health “should prioritize this issue.”

The recent establishment of a military hospital by Türkiye in TRNC has renewed discussions on whether similar facilities will be reopened in Türkiye.