KI steps up efforts in medical preparedness
Karolinska Institutet (KI) is launching a strategic initiative in medical preparedness aimed at strengthening Sweden’s ability to prevent and manage the health-related consequences of crises and war.
“This initiative does not start from scratch; it is an important step in bringing together KI’s existing activities in this field. By more clearly linking research, education and collaboration, KI can become a knowledge hub within Sweden’s emergency preparedness system,” says Martin Bergö, vice president of Karolinska Institutet, who is responsible for the initiative.
The initiative brings together KI’s expertise in areas including health crises, disaster medicine, defence-related medicine, and research on human performance and resilience in extreme environments.
Rather than creating a new organisational unit, the initiative connects existing and future activities within a thematic platform. From the outset, it includes the Centre for Health Crises, the research centre for Global Disaster Medicine, defence-related medicine, FyFa’s HumanLab and ExtremeLab, respectively.
SEK 60 million investment
Total funding of SEK 60 million will support the long-term development of research, education and innovative environments that enable joint initiatives in medical preparedness.
The aim is to contribute knowledge and experience through a multidisciplinary approach, including behavioural science, anthropology, peace and conflict studies, political science and climate research.
Similar initiatives are being developed at several Swedish higher education institutions, including Lund University and the Stockholm School of Economics. The Swedish Defence University, Luleå University of Technology and Örebro University have also launched the joint initiative Campus Total Defence, which KI has joined.
KI’s initiative is also intended to pave the way for strategic national partnerships in medical preparedness.
“We will take clear responsibility and act as a driving force and collaborative partner in developing medical preparedness. This initiative enables long-term work and the building of partnerships with other universities and public agencies to strengthen society’s crisis preparedness,” says Martin Bergö.
The initiative will be presented during Almedalen Week at the seminar How can we strengthen Sweden’s medical preparedness in times of crisis and war?.