Mobile Military Health Formation

Mobile Military Health Formation
Country South Africa
BranchSouth African Military Health Service
TypeSpecial Operations
Part ofSANDF
HeadquartersPretoria, Gauteng
Nickname(s)Mobile
PatronSt. Michael the Archangel
Motto(s)Fidelis et Fortis
EngagementsAngo-Boer War, World War I, World War II, South African Border War, Battle of Bangui
DecorationsSAMHS Sword of Peace
Websitehttps://www.mhs.mil.za
Commanders
Surgeon GeneralLt Gen Ntshavheni Peter Maphaha
General Officer CommandingBrig Gen K.S. Masipa

The South African Military Health Service Mobile Military Health Formation is the SANDF military special operations health capability. The formation operates two regular force medical battalions, with 7 Medical Battalion Group[1] providing support to the South African Special Forces Brigade and 8 Medical Battalion Group focusing on airborne operations. Three reserve units, 1 Medical Battalion Group, 3 Medical Battalion Group and 6 Medical Battalion Group fall under the command of the formation.

The formation specialises in various types of operations including emergency medicine, disaster response, medical rescue, hostage negotiation and CBRNE warfare defence.

Similar to most special operations units, the Mobile Military Health Formation has a high attrition rate with most candidates failing to meet the strict physical and academic requirements.

The Mobile Military Health Formation's current structure[2] is the result of extensive restructuring [3] that occurred during the transition to democracy[4] in South Africa [5] and military reforms from the Defence Review 1998.[6] Through its designation as the SAMHS primary force preparation entity,[7] the formation has a broad mandate to ensure the delivery of comprehensive medical health services[8] to the SANDF during conventional operations. In light of recent advancements in warfare[9][10] and the ongoing threat of global terrorism,[11][12] the SANDF recognised a need to shift attention towards more mobile and adaptable military operations, specifically with a focus on disaster response.[13][14] The SAMHS has adapted its approach to healthcare delivery in tandem with other SANDF services and divisions.

  1. ^ Anon., 2008. 7 Medical Battalion Group - a unique unit. The South African Soldier, 15(), p. 38–39.
  2. ^ Engelbrecht, Leon (2008-11-26). "Fact file: Capabilities of the SA Military Health Service". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  3. ^ Le Roux, L., 2005. The post-apartheid South African military: Transforming with the nation. Evolutions and Revolutions: A Contemporary History of Militaries in Southern Africa. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, pp. pp.235-68..
  4. ^ Wessels, André. "The South African National Defence Force, 1994–2009: A Historical Perspective" (PDF). humanities.ufs.ac.za/. University of the Free State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  5. ^ Charney, C., 1999. Civil Society, Political Violence, and Democratic Transitions: Business and the Peace Process in South Africa, 1990 to 1994. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 41(1), pp. 182-206.
  6. ^ Vrey, F., 2012. Paradigm shifts, South African Defence Policy and the South African National Defence Force : from here to where?. Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, 32(2), pp. 89-118.
  7. ^ be%20located%20at%20military%20bases "SA Military Health Service MTEF Plan; with Minister | PMG". pmg.org.za. Retrieved 2023-07-13. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ https://static.pmg.org.za/docs/101117sahms-edit.pdf
  9. ^ Arreguín-Toft, I., . How the weak win wars: A theory of asymmetric conflict. [Online] Available at: http://web.stanford.edu/class/polisci211z/2.2/Arreguin-Toft%20IS%202001.pdf [Accessed 2 7 2023].
  10. ^ Allen, M. A., Bell, S. R. & Clay, K. C., . Deadly Triangles: The Implications of Regional Competition on Interactions in Asymmetric Dyads. Foreign Policy Analysis, 14(2), p. 169–190.
  11. ^ Forest, J. J. & Giroux, J., 2011. Terrorism and Political Violence in Africa: Contemporary Trends in a Shifting Terrain. Perspectives on terrorism, 5(), p. .
  12. ^ Fine, J., . Contrasting Secular and Religious Terrorism., (), p. .
  13. ^ Smith, David (2011-01-24). "South Africa flood death toll rises as government declares 33 disaster zones". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  14. ^ Mabogunje, A. L., . The Environmental Challenges In Sub Saharan Africa. [Online] Available at: http://web.mit.edu/africantech/www/articles/EnvChall.htm