National Board of Health and Welfare to assess possibility of donating medical equipment and supplies to disaster-affected or war-torn areas

“We have stocks of supplies that can benefit countries in our neighbourhood that are in urgent need. Sweden wants to be able to match assistance to the needs in the acute situation following the earthquakes and alleviate the immense suffering. At the same time, we are working to strengthen our own preparedness for crisis and in the event of war,” says Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson.

“The needs remain extensive, and additional support to Türkiye and Syria is therefore needed. I’m proud that Sweden’s support has been swift and resolute, which has made a difference on the ground. Sweden has contributed SEK 195 million to date and will co-host a donor conference together with the European Commission in a few weeks. Further support is needed, and the Government is ready to work towards this end,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

As part of Sweden’s preparedness for use in the event of a crisis, the National Board of Health and Welfare has stocks of equipment at its disposal to provide health care in various contexts. The regions also have equipment and other supplies that can be used for specific purposes.

Sweden receives requests for assistance to disaster-affected or war-torn areas abroad, which are communicated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism or the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC). Currently, these requests primarily concern Türkiye and Syria.

The National Board of Health and Welfare has therefore been tasked by the Government to assess the possibility to assist in this way. In doing so, the agency may – after Sweden’s domestic needs have been met – donate medical equipment or supplies, or other supplies needed to provide care.

The agency will also examine the regions’ capacity to do without the requested equipment and supplies, and assist with coordination and logistics between regions with the capacity to contribute and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). Moreover, the agency will – when requested equipment and supplies cannot be spared – assess the possibility of purchase them.

The National Board of Health and Welfare has been allocated SEK 45 million for this purpose. A report is to be presented on 31 May 2023.

The Swedish Medical Products Agency has previously been tasked with coordinating requests for pharmaceutical products with various actors’ offers to donate them. Actors with pharmaceutical products available to donate can contact the Medical Products Agency.