Military surgeon Meren: Tallinn superhospital cancellation is a blessing
Military surgeon Tiit Meren has welcomed the termination of the design contract for the so-called Tallinn superhospital, arguing that large hospital complexes are vulnerable to attacks and not sensible from a security perspective.
Military surgeon Tiit Meren told ERR that he is relieved by the Tallinn city government's decision to halt the design of a medical campus in Lasnamäe. From a security standpoint, building large hospital complexes in Estonia is unwise, as one of the core principles of military strategy is dispersion.
Meren pointed out that two major hospitals – the Tartu University Hospital and the North Estonia Regional Hospital – could be easily targeted by a missile like the Iskander, which can reach Estonia from the Pskov region in less than half an hour. A single strike could eliminate either facility, leaving the country without critical medical infrastructure.
He argued that discussions about the need for a superhospital would only make sense in an era of prolonged peace. Moreover, glass-and-metal buildings pose additional dangers, with shrapnel causing numerous injuries in the event of an explosion. Meren called the cancellation a responsible step, saying that preparing for potential conflict is far better than planning decades ahead as if nothing will happen.
The Tallinn Hospital, which unites the city's municipal hospitals, terminated the design contract in early June. The city paid 2.9 million euros for the design work already completed.
