16/02/2026
At the Munich Security Conference , the World Health Summit convened a side event bringing together health, humanitarian, and defense leaders around a clear message:
Health security is not a standalone health agenda. It is a cornerstone of human and national security.
The most effective way to reduce risk is to strengthen health systems that are accessible, trusted by communities, and able to expand capacity quickly when crises hit.
Key takeaways from the discussion:
🔵 Resilience can’t be built in silos.
Preparedness needs whole-of-government planning that links public health, hospitals, civil protection, security, and civil society.
🔵 Operational preparedness matters.
Scalable inpatient and outpatient care, reliable stockpiles and supply chains, protected health personnel, and patient transport planning are essential.
🔵 Local capacity is non-negotiable.
Communities often cannot evacuate, so preparedness must prioritize empowering local actors, protecting health workers, and strengthening national production to reduce critical supply dependencies.
🔵 Stop attacks on health care.
When hospitals, ambulances, and health workers are targeted, it must be called out and documented to support accountability, uphold international law, and strengthen protection for patients and health workers.
Join us as we continue the conversation at in April and at in October in Berlin.
📷 Copyright: Munich Security Conference
