The aim of the cooperation is to jointly prepare healthcare, training and research for security policy challenges.
Von links: MHH-Präsidentin Professorin Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, MHH-Vizepräsident und Vorstand für Krankenversorgung Professor Frank Lammert, Niedersachsens Wissenschaftsminister Falko Mohrs, Oberstarzt Dr. Christian Zechel und Generalstabsarzt Dr. Johannes Backus. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH
The Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Bundeswehr Hospital in Westerstede want to create more resilient healthcare structures against the backdrop of security policy changes – especially in the event of an alliance or defence situation. By exploiting synergies between the two partners, teaching, further training and research, for example in the care of seriously injured patients, are to be further expanded and specifically integrated into the MHH's application as a university of excellence. A corresponding cooperation agreement was signed today in Hanover.
"The cooperation between the MHH and the Bundeswehr Hospital in Westerstede makes it clear that As one of the leading university hospitals in Germany, MHH plays a central role in preparing our healthcare system even better for crises, disasters and security policy challenges,‘ said Lower Saxony's Minister of Science Falko Mohrs. ’The close networking of cutting-edge university medicine, regional structures and military medical expertise makes it possible to future-proof care, training and research. The MHH specialises in the treatment of complex injuries – for example, in burn and transplant medicine and infection research.‘
’As a supramaximal care provider and the only pure medical university in Germany, the MHH is well positioned in the scientific landscape," explained MHH President Professor Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner. "We see ourselves as a health hub in a network of first-class partners – regionally, nationally and internationally. Our goal is to establish the MHH as a driving force for forward-looking health research. Yesterday, we submitted our application to become a University of Excellence. Our cooperation with the Bundeswehr fits perfectly into our vision. We are planning tandem research programmes for scientists from the Bundeswehr and MHH. The northern German location of Hanover would be ideal for a new institute for military medicine that addresses topics such as mental health, infectious medicine, prosthetics and digital resource management."
Acquiring knowledge in peacetime as preparation for crises
‘This cooperation serves to ensure that we are prepared for crises and even possible war scenarios through training and knowledge acquisition in peacetime,’ said General Staff Physician Dr Johannes Backus, Commander of the Bundeswehr Healthcare Command. "Healthcare is a task for society as a whole and for the state as a whole, in which all components must work together to achieve the best possible result. ‘
’The cooperation is also intended as preparation for disasters, pandemics and possible military conflicts – as well as a contribution to efficient, nationwide healthcare," emphasised MHH Vice-President Professor Frank Lammert, responsible for the Department of Medical Care: ‘In healthcare, we want to pursue joint concepts for the treatment of complex injuries and diseases – for example in traumatology, burn and amputation medicine, and anaesthesia. New training courses on crisis medicine, resilience and civil-military cooperation are also planned.’
‘Since 2008, the Bundeswehr Hospital in Westerstede has been working successfully with Ammerland Klinik GmbH as the Westerstede Clinic Centre in a civil-military cooperation that is unique in Germany,’ added Senior Medical Officer Dr Christian Zechel, Commander and Medical Director at the Bundeswehr Hospital in Westerstede. ‘As an academic teaching hospital of the MHH, there is already a close connection in the areas of patient care, training and research. I am delighted to be able to bring this cooperation to life.’
Text: Inka Burow