“Ukraine’s battlefield experiences offer valuable lessons for Poland’s military medical services, prompting a shift in how we approach medical support in the event of a conflict,” says Lieutenant General Professor Grzegorz Gielerak, Director of the Military Medical Institute – National Research Institute (WIM-PIB). He emphasizes that while much focus is placed on increasing spending on weapons and military equipment, insufficient attention is paid to building robust medical security systems.
“The insights gained from Ukraine’s experiences have significantly reshaped our approach to battlefield medical support, especially regarding the type and scale of injuries observed. There’s a stark polarization—injuries are either minor or extremely severe—necessitating a complete rethink of how medical aid should be organized. In practice, this means that advanced medical support must be positioned as close to the frontlines as possible. Data from Ukraine shows that 50% of injured personnel who die succumb within the first minute, 30% within the first hour, and 20% in the hospital. Thus, the speed of medical intervention is critical to survival,” Gielerak explains.
A New Era of Combat Medicine
The full-scale war in Ukraine, ignited by Russia’s aggression on February 24, 2022, has now spanned nearly three years. Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines are supported by medics whose tasks include stabilizing the injured and evacuating them to safer locations, often field hospitals behind the lines. This form of combat medicine differs vastly from conventional hospital care, as the conditions and types of injuries are unique. The weapons used by Russian forces often result in severe trauma, such as massive hemorrhages, amputations, and fractures, all treated under makeshift, high-risk conditions, often under fire.
Ukraine’s battlefield medical strategies, including rapid evacuation systems and organized care, offer critical lessons for preparing for a potential large-scale war in Europe. Increasingly, politicians and military experts acknowledge the possibility of such scenarios.
“We are closely analyzing these developments and adapting Ukrainian experiences to Poland’s context,” Gielerak notes. “Of course, no two conflicts are identical. Should a conflict occur in Poland—though we hope it never does—it would undoubtedly differ in some respects from what is happening in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian insights, particularly regarding the types of weapons and their medical consequences, are invaluable.”
The Importance of Medical Preparedness
While discussions in Poland and other European countries often emphasize increased spending on armaments and military equipment, less attention is given to building medical preparedness for potential conflicts.
“Deterrence is not just about amassing weapons and ammunition; it’s also about convincing potential aggressors that we are resilient. Societal resilience includes building robust medical security systems. Time is not on our side, so we must urgently train, develop civilian-military cooperation, equip ourselves, and establish procedures. Remember, civilian and military medical systems have fundamentally different objectives, but they must align during conflicts,” Gielerak stresses. “The military is ready to provide medical support, but armed conflicts impact entire nations and societies, and there are lessons we must still learn.”
Current Medical Infrastructure and Challenges
According to the Ministry of Defense (MON), Poland’s military medical services currently include eight regional medical support zones, 22 hospitals (including four clinical hospitals), 11 military hospitals, three research institutes, and four rehabilitation hospitals. Additionally, there are 29 military outpatient clinics, five preventive medicine centers, eight blood donation stations, and 15 medical boards. However, experts highlight that these units are managed by different commands, necessitating unified structures and increased military medical personnel to handle potential conflict scenarios.
“Becoming a doctor—whether in the military or civilian healthcare system—requires years of education. Considering current threats, we don’t have that kind of time. We must bolster medical teams with individuals who, while not medically trained, can provide essential support,” says Dr. Beata Zysiak-Christ of the General Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko Military Academy of Land Forces.
She notes that civilian doctors are often reluctant to join military structures due to restrictions, such as the inability to run private practices or earn additional income.
“We could explore incentives to encourage civilian doctors to join military structures or at least receive training in battlefield medicine. Specialists might not be fully prepared to handle tactical situations without such training,” Zysiak-Christ explains. “Experienced medics should also train non-medics in basic first aid, whether in civilian or high-risk zones, to ensure injured soldiers or civilians receive life-saving care before reaching a hospital.”
Building a Dedicated Military Medical Component
In 2023, the Ministry of Defense initiated efforts to establish a specialized Medical Forces Component within the Polish Armed Forces. The ministry also announced investments in medical infrastructure and the training of military doctors to address the growing need for medical preparedness in potential conflict scenarios.