The French Government wants the country's hospitals to be prepared for a potential scenario in which thousands of wounded soldiers need to be cared for, according to a letter from the French Health Ministry reported in the French press.
French Health Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed the information but emphasised that there is "no need to sound alarmist," adding that "it is perfectly normal for the country to anticipate crises."
The French satirical weekly 'Le Canard enchaîné' broke the news on Tuesday. The magazine reported that it saw a letter sent by the French Health Ministry to regional health authorities on 18 July, which stated that hospitals must be prepared by March 2026 in the event of a "major (military) deployment."
The Health Ministry pointed out that France could be the hinterland of a large-scale conflict. Therefore, the country must be ready to accommodate wounded French and foreign soldiers. Hospitals need to be ready to be able to care for 10,000 to 15,000 men within a period of 10 to 180 days.
'Perfectly normal'
France is also considering establishing medical centres near ports or airports so that soldiers can be sent on to their countries of origin. The letter also mentions training to make healthcare providers aware of "the limitations in wartime."
In an interview with the news channel BFMTV, Vautrin confirmed the information. "It is perfectly normal for the country to anticipate crises and their consequences," she added.
"This is part of anticipation, just like strategic stockpiling. I was not yet in office when Covid-19 broke out, but let's not forget that at the time we were at a loss for words to describe how unprepared the country was."
