Experts Warn Germany’s Healthcare System Unprepared for Wartime Demands

At the German Surgeons' Congress, specialists highlighted critical shortages in staff, training, and supplies, urging immediate reforms to address systemic vulnerabilities.

• Germany's healthcare system is designed for routine care and lacks the capacity to handle mass casualties or wartime conditions, such as drone attacks or artillery fire.
• Experts at the German Surgeons' Congress emphasized the need for specialized training to treat war-specific injuries caused by projectiles and explosions.
• Current material stockpiles, including surgical instruments and bandages, are insufficient, with hospitals relying on supply chains that could be disrupted during crises.
• Calls were made for the creation of a civilian reserve personnel pool to address staff shortages during emergencies and for protection plans to safeguard hospitals against military attacks.
• Previous legislative efforts, such as the Health Security Act, aimed at enhancing crisis preparedness, remain incomplete, leaving critical gaps in Germany’s healthcare infrastructure.

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