French hospitals have been instructed by the country’s Ministry of Health to be prepared for war in Europe next year.
France has been told to prepare its health system for a scenario in which it may have to treat thousands of soldiers returning from combat, in what the country’s health minister says is just a precautionary measure.
In a letter dated July 18, sent to regional health agencies, the Ministry of Health told hospitals to prepare for a “major (military) engagement” by March 2026 according to documents seen by Le Canard Enchaîné
The newspaper warned that between 10,000 and 50,000 men could be expected in hospitals over a period of 10 to 180 days.
Euronews reports: The ministry said France’s hospitals should be aware of the “limitations in wartime” and be ready to care for both French and foreign soldiers in the event of a major conflict.
It said hospitals should be prepared to treat thousands of soldiers within a period of 10 to 180 days, according to the French satirical newspaper Le Canard enchaîné, which first reported the letter last week. Euronews Health has not independently verified its contents.
A government spokesperson told Euronews that the health ministry’s job is to prepare for a wide range of “threats that the health care system could face,” including epidemics, environmental crises, and “malicious risks”.
As part of those preparations, the spokesperson said France’s health professionals should be ready to treat military patients in the civilian health system.
France is reportedly also considering setting up medical centres near bus and train stations, airports, and ports to “enable the rerouting of foreign soldiers to their home country,” the letter said.
In an interview with the French news channel BFMTV last week, health minister Catherine Vautrin said it is “perfectly normal for the country to anticipate crises and their consequences”.