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All NATO eastern flank countries are revising crisis response protocols for medical facilities, conducting training, purchasing helmets and body armor, and even relocating operating rooms underground, according to Politico, as reported by Ukrinform.
The Santaros Clinics University Hospital in Vilnius, located just 50 km from the EU’s external border with Belarus, is expanding its underground infrastructure, shelters, helipads, and autonomous systems that will allow it to operate even during power or water outages.
Meanwhile, in Estonia, in addition to body armor for ambulance crews, satellite phones will be distributed to maintain communication if conventional networks fail. Plans are also in place to establish an independent internet network if needed.
“Electric generators are being installed throughout the healthcare system, drawing on Ukraine’s experience where Russian strikes regularly disable civilian power supplies,” the article notes.
Many Soviet-era hospitals in Eastern Europe are especially vulnerable. Hospitals are now exploring ways to repurpose their basements into operating rooms if necessary.
“I can’t imagine working on the top floor… just waiting for a missile strike,” said Ragnar Vaiknemets, Deputy Director General of Estonia’s Health Department.
According to him, the question is not if Russia will attack, but when it will.
Estonia is purchasing mobile medical units that can be deployed in emergencies to help address Europe’s limited critical care capacity, Politico reports.
Baltic countries are also stockpiling medicine, supplies, and equipment. Estonia has allocated €25 million to mass casualty supplies, including orthopedic equipment, tourniquets, and trauma kits. Vaiknemets stated these reserves are meant to keep hospitals running until NATO aid arrives. He added that the Alliance plays a key role in ensuring supply routes remain open.
In Latvia, healthcare institutions are required to maintain a three-month supply of medicine, a policy in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is also working to create national medical reserves.
However, a fundamental issue in the Baltic states is a shortage of medical personnel — even now, daily staff levels are insufficient. Another concern is that not all doctors are willing to stay during wartime. A survey in Lithuania showed that fewer than 40% of doctors would remain in the country in case of war.
Estonia is also training hospitals, ambulance crews, and medical workers to transition into “crisis mode,” preparing them to handle mass casualties and treat wartime injuries.
At Vilnius University Hospital, joint drills with the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Riflemen’s Union are being held to train staff in evacuation procedures and receiving large numbers of wounded.
As previously reported, on June 9 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia — whose allies include China, North Korea, and Iran — is rebuilding its military faster than previously expected and could be ready to launch an attack on NATO countries within five years.
Read also: Support for Ukraine now core European value, says FM Sybiha
