Expert Warns Germany Unprepared for Medical Challenges in Potential War Scenario

Amid increasing tensions related to the Ukraine conflict and the heightened relevance of NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, expert warnings have emerged regarding Germany's lack of preparedness for a potential war, especially in its medical infrastructure. Prof. Tomislav Stojanovic, Chief Physician at the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in Wolfsburg, has highlighted critical gaps in Germany’s hospital capacity and readiness to handle wartime injuries such as gunshot wounds.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, the prospect of direct involvement or spillover into Germany or neighboring Poland has raised alarm. Stojanovic emphasized that current hospital capacities in Germany are already stretched thin, making the influx of hundreds of additional war casualties overwhelming. He noted that Germany’s medical personnel are predominantly trained for peacetime scenarios and are inexperienced in treating combat-related injuries, which contrasts sharply with countries like the United States that have more regular exposure to such cases.

To address these gaps, Stojanovic called for comprehensive planning including adequate stockpiling of medical supplies and implementation of triage protocols akin to those developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the urgency of political awareness and preparedness measures, stating that having robust plans could mean the difference between effective response and catastrophic outcomes. However, he also expressed hope that increased readiness efforts would ultimately prove unnecessary.

This warning aligns with broader concerns over Germany's overall military and medical readiness amid geopolitical pressures stemming from the Ukraine conflict and NATO defense commitments. The warnings come on November 15, 2025, underscoring a pressing need for better preparation to safeguard national security and public health in case of a potential conflict impacting German soil or its proximity.

(Source: Article ID 145031)