MMCCMultinational Medical Coordination Centre/EMCEuropean Medical Command renders visible closer cooperation between NATO and EU

"’European Medical Cooperation 2.0’ and the medical exercise 'Resilient Response 2020' – both was achieved in close cooperation between NATO and EU, which makes me particularly proud. This is how I imagine the close cooperation between both organisations in other areas as well."

With these words, Federal Minister of Defence, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer describes the successful work of the Bundeswehr Medical Service and the Multinational Medical Coordination Centre/European Medical Command (MMCCMultinational Medical Coordination Centre/EMCEuropean Medical Command) during the German EU Council Presidency.

Coordinated response as the objective of the online war game

In late November last year, a three-day war game exercised the cooperation of NATO and EU institutions and their nations, illustrated quite plainly to the participating nations the complexity of a coordinated response to the pandemic. "More than 100 experts from military and civilian institutions from 12 nations participated as so-called training teams via video conference", said Brigadier, Medical Corps, Dr Stefan Kowitz, Director MMCCMultinational Medical Coordination Centre/EMCEuropean Medical Command expressing his satisfaction.

Quick response to epidemics and pandemics as the objective

During the first wave of COVID-19Coronavirus Disease 2019, the NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) requested MMCCMultinational Medical Coordination Centre/EMCEuropean Medical Command to develop a concept on medical stockpiling, which in a further step was refined under the "European Medical Cooperation 2.0" during the German EU Council Presidency. The aim is to be prepared more quickly and effectively for epidemic or pandemic situations in the future.

A calculator is the basis of stockpiling

The Military Modular Multipurpose Epidemic/Pandemic Stockpiling (M3-EPS) concept consists of altogether seven modules some of which are employed independently of each other, while some others must be employed collectively. These rapidly usable standard packages are to reinforce existing medical treatment facilities or hospitals. Core of the concept is a calculator that quickly and simply determines personnel, materiel and storage area requirements as well as costs.

The projects have made visible many details, which will help to respond better to pandemics in the future. MMCCMultinational Medical Coordination Centre/EMCEuropean Medical Command will make its contribution to this effect in order to support a coordinated, multinational approach, be it in the NATO or EU context.

by Rico Maderthoner