Germany's Bavaria calls for hospitals to be prepared for war

Before the decision on defence and infrastructure financial packages, Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach demands that hospitals be ready for emergencies.

Germany's healthcare system is facing increasing cost pressures and significant reforms, but at the same time, the security landscape is shifting dramatically, Caliber.Az reports per German media.

Just before the Bundestag is set to vote on a massive financial package aimed at strengthening the Bundeswehr and infrastructure, Minister Gerlach is calling for the country's medical system to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

"The military threat to Europe posed by Russia and the potential withdrawal of the new US President Trump from the existing security partnership mean massive action is needed for Germany’s healthcare system and society as a whole," the CSU politician told our editorial team. She stressed that while strengthening defence readiness is crucial, this step must not be confined solely to the Bundeswehr. "Rather, the civilian sector must also brace itself," Gerlach insisted.

The minister highlighted that civil protection has long been neglected. "This also applies to civil defence, which is meant to ensure the population’s medical care in the event of war," Gerlach warned. "We need a comprehensive 'Civil Operations Plan for Germany'," she argued.

"This is about nothing less than preparing the entire healthcare system for all kinds of crises – including military attacks of any kind. An intact healthcare system is just as vital for the defence of a country as the Bundeswehr."

The challenge, according to Gerlach, is to maintain medical and nursing care for over 80 million people under wartime conditions while also treating injured soldiers. "Despite issues such as the shortage of skilled workers, it is essential that we can care for far more people than in peacetime," she stated. "The state must provide clear directives – on the EU level, federal level, and state level."

This includes adapting standards, infrastructure, and stockpiling. "We need to make bold decisions – including what can be sacrificed in times of scarcity, from reporting requirements to standards, inspections, and staffing guidelines," Gerlach emphasised. "For healthcare staff, it must be solely about one thing: saving lives."

She also stressed that IT infrastructure needs to be protected from foreign attacks. Moreover, Germany and Europe must become stronger as production sites for the pharmaceutical industry. "We must particularly ensure the supply of medications," Gerlach warned.

In Bavaria, the government has already asked hospitals to report on the status of their emergency planning. "The feedback shows that the issue of security is very much on the minds of most hospitals," Gerlach said.

"Many are currently optimising their plans." Aid organisations are training additional nursing support staff to assist in case of an emergency. "We should not only discuss the potential for compulsory military service, but also a civil service that can support staff-strained facilities," Gerlach concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev