German military medics arrive in Portugal to help out in pandemic

Wunsdorf, Germany (dpa) – A 26-strong team of medics from Germany’s Bundeswehr landed in Lisbon on Wednesday to help Portugal cope with the coronavirus pandemic that has overwhelmed its health service.

The team, including eight doctors, was welcomed at the Figo Maduro military airbase in Lisbon by Portuguese Defence Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho, Health Minister Marta Temido and Germany’s ambassador to Portugal, Martin Ney.

State news agency Lusa and Portuguese public broadcaster RTP reported that the team would be put to work in Lisbon’s Hospital da Luz.

The hospital, operated by a private health provider, is seen as one of the largest and most modern in the country. It has begun taking patients from the overwhelmed state health services.

The A400M military transport aircraft took off earlier from the Wunstorf airbase west of Hanover in Germany carrying dozens of ventilation and IV devices.

Speaking at the base, Portugal’s ambassador to Germany, Francisco Ribeiro de Menezes, expressed his country’s gratitude for assistance with the pandemic in a serious and difficult phase, and spoke of the spirit of European solidarity.

The team is to spend three weeks in Portugal. According to the German military, they will then probably be relieved by a second team.

The head of the Bundeswehr’s medical services, General Ulrich Baumgaertner, who was on board the flight, also emphasised European solidarity.

“The situation there is incomparably worse than it is here with us. The hospitals are overflowing, and for that reason we are needed there,” he said.

Portugal has been hit hard by the variant of the coronavirus that was first identified in Britain and has caused concern throughout Europe as it is more contagious.

According to the country’s medical association, queues of up to 30 ambulances have formed outside hospitals over recent days. Portuguese media have reported that patients have spent entire nights in ambulances.