IPA CARE EMT Study Visit in Romania, 13-14 January 2026
On 13-14 January 2026, the partners of IPA CARE gathered in Bucharest hosted by DSU (Department for Emergency Situations) and with facilitation from Karolinska Institute, to learn about the process for developing and certifying EMTs (Emergency Medical Teams).
The EMT event was opened by Dr Raed Arafat, Head of DSU, and among lessons shared were the importance to identify engaged EMT teams and staff, to work with a consistant approach, to have inter-institutional coordination, strong leadership and commitment, as well as to base the EMT system on local and national institutions, to work closely with the WHO EMT mentors, and to conduct regular training.
During the visit, the partners visited the Romanian ”112 integrated emergency situations centre” and a mass casuality facility.
On the second day of the visit, the IPA CARE partners Albania, Bosnia Hercegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye shared experiences from their processes and preparations for establishing and certifying Emergency Medical Teams. Several partners highlighted the importance of creating enabling legislative frameworks, procedures, capacities and inter-institutional cooperation, as well as working closely with the EMT mentors provided through WHO, and participating in regional and international EMT networks and partnerships.
*the designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
