Established in 1857 (originally as British Indian Military Hospital), Military Hospital Rawalpindi—also called Pak Emirates Military Hospital—is the largest hospital operated by the Pakistan Army. Located in Rawalpindi Cantonment on Abid Majeed Road, the hospital has about 1,200 beds, operates under ISO 9001 standards, and serves military and civilian patients alike
📍 Location & Access
Situated centrally on Abid Majeed Road, Saddar, in Rawalpindi Cantonment, MH is accessible 24/7. On-site parking and emergency services are available around the clock
🏥 Facilities & Services
- In‑Patient Capacity: ~1,200 beds with ~95% occupancy rate :
- Emergency & Trauma (Level II): Full-time trauma center and 24/7 emergency care
- Specialty Departments: Surgery, family medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, ICU
- Diagnostics & Pharmacy: Radiology (including X‑ray, CT, MRI), pathology labs, ICU support, full pharmacy
- Teaching Role: Affiliated with Army Medical College, AFPGMI, PMC, NUMS, CPSP, and GDC UK for postgraduate training
🎓 Academic & Research Functions
MH serves as a teaching and research hospital for Army Medical College, AFPGMI, NUMS, CPSP, PMC, and GMC UK. It offers postgraduate training for doctors, nurses, and paramedics
⚙️ Governance & Organization
Commanded by a Major General of the Army Medical Corps, with a Brigadier as Deputy Commandant and two Colonels as Assistant Commandants. The Family Wing is overseen by a Lady Medical Officer at Brigadier rank
🏗️ Recent Enhancements
In July 2018, the hospital was renamed “Pak Emirates Military Hospital” following a UAE grant of $108 million. This improved capacity and infrastructure. In 2019, enhancements included new OPD, Emergency, and Diagnostic blocks—jointly expanding CMH & MH to a total of roughly 2,500 beds and offering 6,000 OPD visits per day
⚖️ Civilian User Experience
Although civilians are treated—especially in OPD and emergency—the service-centered policies heavily prioritize military families, sometimes causing delays or restricted access for civilians, especially during emergencies
> “CMH is set up only for military personnel and their families… hundreds of civilians… just have to wait for their turn in lines.”
⚠️ Challenges & Areas for Improvement
- Need for improved fairness and accessibility for civilian patients.
- Operational delays in diagnostics cited in non-peak hours, especially weekends.
- Training gaps among some paramedical staff.
- Patient navigation complications due to multiple checkpoints and documentation requirements
❓ FAQs – Military Hospital Rawalpindi
Who can receive treatment here?
Primarily military personnel and their families, but civilians can access most services (OPD, emergency, diagnostics, inpatient) with potential delays during peak military usage
Is it open around the clock?
Yes—emergency, trauma, ICU, and essential services operate 24/7. OPD clinics usually run 8 AM–2 PM, and various specialty units extend beyond those hours
Does it offer advanced diagnostics and scanning?
Yes, the hospital is equipped with digital radiology, CT, MRI, and full laboratory support units
Can civilians get specialist consultations?
Civilians can access consultations in most specialties like surgery, pediatrics, ENT, orthopedics, gynecology, etc., although military personnel are triaged first
How do I book an appointment?
Appointments can be scheduled via the hospital’s helpline (e.g., 051 8151800). OPD runs during business hours; emergency services are walk-in
Are parking and amenities available?
Yes—ample on-site parking, along with pharmacy, cafeteria, and mosques. Registration and check-in protocols apply due to military security standards
Does MH serve as a teaching hospital?
Absolutely. It is a major teaching campus for Army Medical College, AFPGMI, NUMS, CPSP, PMC, and recognized by the UK GMC
🔍 Conclusion
Military Hospital Rawalpindi is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s military healthcare network—with world-class infrastructure and academic excellence. While its capacity, diagnostics, and trauma services are outstanding, priority-to-military policies can create accessibility hurdles for civilians. To enhance public trust and care, improving civilian access, staff training, and navigational efficiency are vital steps forward.