Belgium is among the eight countries which will receive support from the EU budget to build the first pan-European field hospital, designed to boost emergency medical support to citizens affected by large-scale natural or man-made disasters.
The European Commission announced on Monday that it would be awarding Belgium, as well as France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Turkey a total of €106.2 million to help develop the de facto largest field hospital in Europe" and one of the "most advanced in the world."
The rescEU project will see three Emergency Medical Teams Type 2 (EMT2) be established, which will include surgery and diagnostic services, as well as 17 specialised care teams that will offer intensive care, burn treatment, patient transport and mental health support, among other services.
"This joint venture is another key cornerstone in boosting the EU’s ability to prepare for and respond to various disasters," said Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management.
The new reserve capacity should be deployable in natural and other disasters from 2024 and is expected to allow a response to a wide range of disaster scenarios.
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In crises, the teams will be able to operate autonomously and support existing national healthcare facilities "in case the latter are not able to cope with a given emergency." The reserve will provide assistance to all EU Member States but can also be deployed to EU neighbouring countries.
The development of the project is in line with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) EMT Initiative, which aims to reduce loss of life and prevent long-term disability caused by disasters, outbreaks and other emergencies.
