South African Military Health Service
| South African Military Health Service | |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Militêre Gesondheidsdiens | |
Emblem of SAMHS | |
| Active | 1979 – 1994 (as SAMS of the SADF) 1994 – present (as SAMHS of the SANDF) |
| Country | South Africa |
| Type | Military Health Service |
| Size |
|
| Part of | Department of Defence |
| -Headquarter | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| Nickname | Medics |
| Mottos | The official SAMHS motto is “Audaces Servamus”, which translates from Latin as “We Serve the Brave”-a tribute to their mission of supporting those on the frontlines. |
| Colors | Maroon |
| Anniversaries | 1995 - 2025 {birth 2026} consilidatory division - 92023 |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs | Ms Angie Motshekga |
| Surgeon General | Lieutenant General Ntshavheni Peter Maphaha |
| Insignia | |
| SAMHS Emblem (Badge): The emblem prominently features the Rod of Aesculapius (a staff with a single serpent entwined), a universally recognized symbol of medicine, representing healing and medical care. | |
The South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) operates within the broader framework of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and plays a key role in supporting national security, humanitarian relief and public health capacity in South Africa.
South Africa faces a variety of security and health challenges including:
· Regional instability and peacekeeping commitments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) regions.
· Domestic humanitarian crises such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
· High burden of communicable diseases which impact both military readiness and the health of the broader population.
Given these challenges, SAMHS operates at the intersection of defence, public health and disaster response, supporting both military operations and national development goals.
Role within the National Defence Framework
As the fourth Arm of Service within the SANDF (alongside the Army, Air Force and Navy), SAMHS is tasked with providing comprehensive healthcare support to:
· All active SANDF members (land, sea, air and Special Forces).
· Military dependents and families as authorised.
· Veterans in collaboration with other government departments.
· Members of other government security departments including SAPS and Correctional Services on an as-required basis.