Minister of Defence of Estonia, Kalle Laanet and Germany´s Ambassador to Estonia, Christiane Hohmann handed over the symbolic keys to the military field hospital, a joint project between Estonia and Germany being built with German funding, to Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, Hanna Maliar.
Germany is contributing to the cooperation project by donating 5.3 million euros, via a donation contract, for the purchase of a field hospital.
Estonian Defence Forces will organise a 13-day training course for Ukrainian military medical instructors on how to use the field hospital both in the kinetic and civilian environment. An Estonian company Semetron, provider of the field hospital, will assist with technical training.
“Today, Ukraine holds the front line separating Europe from a military conflict with Russia, and it is our duty and the direct interest of the West to support Ukraine in every way possible so that Ukraine is able to stand up to the aggressor,” said Defence Minister Kalle Laanet. “Estonia and Germany are helping Ukraine to carry out the necessary reforms in military medicine to raise its medical capability and bring it to NATO standards.”
Defence Minister Laanet added that the donation of the field hospital, together with our ally Germany, helps to strengthen allied relations and is a proof of good cooperation.
“This field hospital is an excellent example of the seamless cooperation between two close Allies in support of a partner: thanks to German financing of 5.3 million euros and Estonian production – Ukraine receives a state of the art field hospital. This is partnership at work!” Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christiane Hohmann said.
“The Russian Federation continues to pursue its policy of aggression, pressure, and political blackmail; posing a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to European countries,” said Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar. “The civilised world can only stand up to such acts by uniting and demonstrating a common position in condemning the actions of the Russian Federation.”
“Without a doubt, this hospital will significantly improve the quality of emergency medical care, which should result in a reduction in the number of deaths, the risk of complications and speed up the healing process of the injured and wounded,” added the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister. “We are extremely grateful to our friends and partners for their continued support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.”
As a joint project between Estonia and Germany, the Estonian company Semetron is building a ROLE 2 Field Hospital to Ukraine, helping to develop the medical capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The field hospital has been developed to suit the climate conditions of the region with cold winters and warm summers and can be assembled and set up by a small team. The field hospital does not require a logistical team to move it, with the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other specialists working in the hospital being capable of performing the task.
The biggest advantage of the field hospital over others of its kind is its high level of manoeuvrability. It can be used across all terrain and weather conditions. A single module can be set up and ready for use in about 20-30 minutes.