French Ministry of Health Urges Hospitals to Prepare for Possible War

The French Ministry of Health has issued instructions to regional health agencies (ARS), urging them to prepare for a potential large-scale mobilization by March 2026.

Documents that Le Canard enchaîné obtained reveal active preparations underway within the healthcare system.

The communication outlines a scenario in which France could serve as a rear base, requiring the country to be ready to receive a significant number of wounded, both French and foreign.

The Ministry of Health explains that these measures are part of the standard risk assessment work, including epidemics, climate disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies.

Preparing to receive a large number of casualties is a key element of the national strategy.

Catherine Bertrand, President of the French Society of Disaster Medicine, notes that such preparations have been ongoing for several years. This is not an exceptional situation but necessary planning that helps avoid chaos during a real crisis.

The Ministry of Health also conducts regular training exercises for evacuating casualties by air, rail, and, recently, using new medical buses designed to transport critically ill patients.