Peter Iversen, the head of NATO's Military Medical Services Committee, emphasized the need for improved readiness in Europe to protect health infrastructure at the Gastein Health Forum meetings. The forum focused on health security and the need for better preparedness to face various threats.
Protection of Health Infrastructure
Iversen stated that health infrastructure in Europe remains at risk, particularly due to the aggressions in Ukraine. He suggested that one way to protect hospitals is to move them to underground facilities to shield them from attacks. He explained, "When we are building infrastructure, we must think about dual-use. If you are building an underground parking lot, you should also consider the necessary facilities to convert it into a hospital."
Increasing Threats in Eastern Europe
Iversen also pointed to the growing threats from Russia, adding that countries near the Russian border have good plans to counter these threats. He said, "Awareness of the situation near the eastern border is greater, and the pressure is felt every day."
He also highlighted dependencies in the pharmaceutical supply chain and production on countries like China, stressing that Europe must be prepared to reduce these dependencies during major crises. Iversen stated, "We must prepare to reduce our dependencies on countries we do not want to rely on during crises."
Need for a Resilient Health System
Jarnu Habicht, the representative of the World Health Organization in Ukraine, also emphasized the need for a resilient health system that can withstand shocks and crises, including earthquakes and cyberattacks. He said, "We may face an increase in the number of patients, but we may also be without electricity; therefore, we must be prepared for these shocks."
At this meeting, health ministers from various countries also gathered in Dublin to address topics such as biotechnology law, reforms in medical equipment, and cardiovascular health. Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi emphasized that the Commission is looking to publish a comprehensive review of tobacco-related laws this year.
According to Varhelyi, Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union aims to finalize biotechnology law and medical equipment regulations. He added, "This is a good time to achieve these goals, as this is when long-term decisions in this area are made."
While the new French pharmaceutical agreement on drug pricing became a hot topic at this meeting, some participants viewed this move as an unexpected shift that could impact the actions of other EU countries. Reactions to this agreement indicate that EU countries must unite for greater cooperation and to avoid weakening their position against U.S. policies.
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