Sweden names three areas where wartime healthcare must be s…

Sweden names three areas where wartime healthcare must be strengthened

Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare has identified northern Sweden, Gotland and the east coast as the regions where wartime healthcare capacity must be strengthened most urgently, citing long transport distances, potential isolation, and the risk of receiving casualties from the Baltic states. Four northern regions will jointly plan a readiness hospital, with a national concept for such facilities due to the government by March 2027.

Daniel Trangeledsweden15 Oct 2026Original Source

Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has named northern Sweden, Gotland and the east coast as the areas where healthcare needs would be greatest in a war. It carried out the analysis on a government assignment, together with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Socialstyrelsen said on 14 October.

— Sweden looks different from place to place, and the needs in a war will also differ, said Director-General Björn Eriksson.

The north faces long distances and difficult patient transport, so several existing hospitals must be able to work together. Gotland’s healthcare must keep running if transport to the mainland is restricted. The east coast must plan to receive casualties from the Baltic states.

Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland Härjedalen will jointly develop the planning for a readiness hospital in the north. Region Norrbotten will coordinate the work. The planning covers staff, premises, equipment and governance. No hospitals have yet been designated for the role, and no new ones will be built. Norrbotten will receive SEK 37 million to build up stocks of medical supplies.

Socialstyrelsen is due to propose a national concept for readiness hospitals to the government by 31 March 2027.

Common questions about the article

Questions and answers generated automatically from the article content.

01Which three areas did Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare identify as needing strengthened wartime healthcare?

Socialstyrelsen named northern Sweden, Gotland and the east coast as the areas with the greatest wartime healthcare needs. The analysis was done with the Swedish Armed Forces and FOI. The north faces long transport distances, Gotland risks isolation from the mainland, and the east coast must plan for Baltic casualties. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-15.

02What is the plan for a readiness hospital in northern Sweden?

03When must Socialstyrelsen propose a national concept for readiness hospitals to the government?