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The region’s health minister has cited a perceived threat to Europe emanating from Russia
The German government should prepare hospitals across the country so that they are able to operate efficiently in case of a military conflict, Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach has argued, citing a perceived threat from Russia.
In an interview to the Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung published on Monday, the official claimed that the “military threat posed to Europe by Russia and the possible withdrawal of the new US President [Donald] Trump from the previous security partnership also mean a massive need for action on the part of the German healthcare system and the whole civil society.” She argued that simply beefing up the armed forces would not be sufficient to adequately address the challenge supposedly facing the country.
“We therefore need a comprehensive ‘civil operational plan Germany’” geared toward addressing a wide range of emergencies, including military aggression, Gerlach stressed.
According to the Bavarian health minister, in such a scenario Germany’s healthcare system would have to be prepared to provide services to more than 80 million civilian residents, as well as wounded military personnel.
“The state must set clear standards. This goes for the EU level, the federal and the regional [levels],” the official told the newspaper. She also emphasized the need to ensure Germany’s and the EU’s ability to produce all the medicines and drugs they may need.
Given likely personnel shortages in hospitals in case of a large-scale military conflict, Gerlach suggested that the German government should consider imposing mandatory civilian service, along with the military draft.
Moscow has consistently denied allegations that it intends to attack any NATO or EU member countries, labeling such claims as “nonsense” designed to scare people and justify increased defense budgets.
Additionally, Russian officials have strongly criticized the EU’s recent moves toward militarization and the portrayal of Moscow as an adversary, arguing that such actions only escalate tensions and undermine peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict.
