Doctors sound the alarm: Switzerland would be medically overwhelmed in the event of a disaster

“In events with more than 25 seriously injured, we have a problem in Switzerland.” So says Mathias Zürcher, senior doctor for rescue and disaster medicine at the University Hospital Basel, to the “SonntagsZeitung”.

The capacities to care for the injured in a disaster are basically there, but not sufficient in all areas – and above all, the overview is missing, Zürcher complains. He is part of a group of doctors who warn about the current situation in the event of a disaster.

A devastating earthquake is in principle also possible in Switzerland. According to a risk analysis by the federal government, such a natural event can occur once every 1,000 years, writes the “SonntagsZeitung”. Up to 1,500 dead and 5,000 seriously injured should be expected – quite worrying if bottlenecks threaten to arise even with 25 seriously injured.

There are several reasons for this: on the one hand the known lack of personnel, but on the other hand also the scarcity of financial resources. According to Zürcher, precautions for extreme events are therefore sometimes omitted. Disasters with possible chemical, biological or radioactive consequences – not enough money is spent on them, everything beyond maintaining normal business operations is neglected. For example, when it comes to coordination in the event of a calamity. There is no nationally organized medical service.

Martin Oberholzer-Riss, emeritus professor of pathology at the University of Basel and also part of the group of concerned doctors, denounces the wrong prioritization: “Switzerland would rather purchase new fighter planes and heavy war equipment for ground troops than credibly coordinate the medical service.” , which is relevant to security policy and takes it skillfully,” he told the “SonntagsZeitung”.

A request from the newspaper to the responsible federal agency Babs (federal agency for civil protection) can hardly refute the doubts about the functionality of the system in the event of a disaster – the answer sounds more like “hope nothing happens and pass the responsibility” . De Babs points out that the cooperation with the partners – ie that of the federal government with the cantons and other rescue organizations – works.

However, De Babs does not want to pass judgment on how well Switzerland would actually be prepared for a disaster with 25 seriously injured people and instead refers to the cantons. These are responsible for the health care system, the federal government would only “possibly play a coordinating role”. (con)