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Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key coalition partner in the government, called for the reinstatement of Türkiye’s military health infrastructure, which was dismantled following the 2016 coup attempt.
But why were these military hospitals abolished in the first place?
Historically, the Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) and other military hospitals were viewed as bastions of Türkiye’s secular, rigid bureaucratic establishment.
Until the early 2000s, the wives and relatives of conservative politicians were regularly barred from entering or visiting these hospitals because of their headscarves, triggering a profound spite for a segment of society.
Furthermore, during eras when civilian oversight of the military was weak, these institutions frequently faced allegations of judicial interference.
It was widely claimed that high-ranking military officials, politicians, and bureaucrats used fabricated medical reports from military hospitals to evade prosecution.
Following the 2016 coup attempt, the government’s primary justification for the overhaul was that the clandestine Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) had transformed GATA into a strategic stronghold, much like the military judiciary and academies.
Authorities alleged that network-linked physicians issued fraudulent "unfit for service" or "unfit to fly" reports to target independent candidates during military school interviews and pilot examinations, systematically purging outsiders to clear paths for their own members.
Yet today, surrounded by regional conflicts, Türkiye stands as the only NATO member without a dedicated military hospital system. Efforts to revive the concept have been gaining momentum since 2025.
After all 32 military hospitals and GATA were transferred to civilian administration, Türkiye became the only NATO member without a dedicated military hospital system.
Now, discussions inside the Defense Ministry and government circles are accelerating over bringing parts of that system back. Some figures regarding Türkiye's military hospital discussions are shared in Türkiye Today's The Istanbul Memo newsletter on July 3.
Addressing inquiries about the military healthcare system last year, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said 744 students were enrolled in GATA's medical program, with 147 doctors having graduated and entered active service in 2025.
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