The Cabinet gives a green light to the deployment of military medical personnel from EU and NATO countries in Czech hospitals

As many as 300 military medical personnel from EU and NATO countries will be available to assist in Czech health facilities in the event of an emergency. Their presence in the Czech Republic has been approved by the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

Holding an emergency session, the Cabinet approved the deployment of military medical personnel from EU and NATO countries in the territory of the Czech Republic. Foreign physicians and other medical staff are to assist their Czech counterparts in coping with the pandemic of COVID-19. Under the Cabinet's approval, which now awaits ratification by both chambers of the Czech Parliament, as many as 300 specialists can take part in the delivery of medical aid.

The Ministry of Defense is in the process of negotiating the deployment of 28 military medical specialists from the United States in the Střešovice Central Military Hospital in Prague and in other facilities where necessary. Detailed information to that effect can be found in the Defense Ministry's press release at http://www.mocr.army.cz/informacni-servis/zpravodajstvi/vlada-schvalila-moznost-zdravotnicke-vojenske-pomoci-od-partneru-z-nato-eu-224167/ (in Czech language).

The Cabinet has also decided to increase the amount of funds from the government's budgetary reserve that will be allocated to the Administration of State Material Reserves for the procurement and protection of emergency supplies maintained by the Ministry of Health, including hospital beds and blood oxygenation and pulmonary function support equipment. On Monday, the Cabinet approved the allocation of CZK 400,650,000 to purchases of medical supplies and equipment. Today, the allocated sum was increased to 700 million crowns.

In addition, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Government's Crisis Decree of 21 October 2020 regarding an exemption from the prohibition to conduct business for outlets allowing the collection of goods and consignments purchased using remote means. The original text "outlets allowing the collection of goods and consignments from third parties" has been replaced with the words "outlets allowing the collection of goods and consignments of goods purchased using remote means".

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