All public hospitals have backup generators in case of power failure, announces the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health has completed a nationwide audit of backup power resources in public hospitals, carried out through the public health directorates (DSP). The aim was to establish whether healthcare facilities can operate without interruption — particularly in critical wards — in the event of a power outage on the national grid.

The audit's conclusion: all public hospitals in the country have alternative electricity sources, and these cover both external medical buildings and pavilion-style wards.

Figures compiled by the ministry

• 340 healthcare units were assessed nationwide;
• 948 generators are operational and ready for use;
• external wards and secondary medical structures are fully covered.

These generators are crucial for keeping life-support equipment running in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (ICU) wards, operating theatres, maternity rooms, and areas where medicines and vaccines are stored.

"A preventive measure, not a response to an emergency"

The Ministry clarifies that the audit was not prompted by any actual fault or critical situation, but was conceived as a preventive measure to assess essential infrastructure.

Interim Health Minister Cseke Attila stated: "Patient safety and the continuity of medical care cannot depend on unforeseen circumstances. That is why preparations must be made before a problem arises. This audit is strictly preventive in nature. It was not triggered by an emergency situation, but by the need to identify and update — in good time — the available resources and any potential vulnerabilities within the healthcare system. Prevention means responsibility. And in healthcare, responsibility means being prepared before the need arises."

What comes next

The Ministry of Health has announced that it will continue monitoring the technical capacities of hospitals, with the aim of identifying worn-out equipment early and addressing any issues within internal electrical networks. The objective is to ensure that essential medical services operate without interruption, regardless of conditions on the national energy grid.