Germany’s health system lacks critical preparedness for crises, says Charité CEO Heyo Kroemer in an exclusive interview.

Germany’s health security system is significantly underprepared for crises compared to other European nations, according to Heyo Kroemer, CEO of Charité, Europe’s largest university hospital. In an interview with WELT, Kroemer highlighted the country’s inability to simultaneously manage routine medical care and emergency scenarios like military conflicts, terror attacks, or pandemics. He emphasized the need for a centralized health security system, similar to those in Sweden and Denmark, where major hospitals in capital cities coordinate crisis responses.

Kroemer pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charité played a pivotal role in managing severely ill patients and coordinating intensive care resources across Berlin. However, he criticized the lack of a sustained structure for such emergencies post-pandemic. He proposed that Charité could lead a national health security framework, leveraging its extensive resources, specialized facilities, and expertise. Kroemer also stressed the importance of regular drills and clear responsibilities for handling complex scenarios like radioactive or chemical attacks, which currently lack sufficient capacity and expertise in Germany.