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Poland to launch new medical troops in September: defence minister

13.08.2025 14:15
Poland will next month launch a new branch of its armed forces focusing on battlefield medicine, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Wednesday.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-KamyszPhoto: PAP/Rafał Guz

The "medical troops" have been in planning for several years and are intended to meet the demands of modern warfare, Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

He added that the plan, expected to be approved later this week, is partly a response to lessons from the war in Ukraine.

"The situation in Ukraine has prompted us to look at battlefield medicine from a completely different perspective than in Iraq or Afghanistan," said Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as a deputy prime minister.

"We are living in the most dangerous times since World War II," he added.

Healthcare professionals encouraged to join 'medical legion'

Kosiniak-Kamysz also announced the creation of a "medical legion" that will enlist civilian doctors, nurses and other health professionals to support the military.

The concept is modelled on the existing "cyber legion," which has recruited about 1,000 IT specialists from top Polish and international firms, state news agency PAP reported.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said advances in technology and artificial intelligence—which will play a growing role in military medicine—make it essential to prepare for "the most difficult situations."

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP