Concerns are mounting regarding potential gaps in Germany’s civilian healthcare preparedness should the nation face a military alliance scenario. Generalstabsarzt (Staff Surgeon) Johannes Backus has cautioned that decades of peacetime have resulted in a reduction or loss of vital care and management capabilities.
Speaking to the Handelsblatt, Backus acknowledged the continued existence of medical expertise within the country, but emphasized that current resources are insufficient to independently handle a situation of significant conflict. He stressed the need for targeted investments in clinics designated as critical infrastructure (KRITIS), alongside a coordinated planning approach between the federal government and individual states.
Backus also highlighted the importance of expanding preventative and security legislation, asserting that a sound legal framework is crucial for establishing a sustainable structure. Furthermore, he underscored the need for robust digital security measures, pointing to the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks on hospitals, with some systems experiencing outages lasting up to 72 hours. He characterized a stable civilian cyber defense capability as an essential component of basic societal provisions.
In a proactive step, a pharmaceutical production facility is currently being established for the German armed forces. This facility is intended to produce specialized medical preparations for unique operational scenarios. Backus also advocated for a broader repatriation of pharmaceutical production capacities within Germany.