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“There are certain sectors and areas where we could do a bit better,” Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC), told LRT Radio.

Officials analysed the crisis preparedness of 14 hospitals in Lithuania’s ten largest cities and towns a few months ago. Half of them were rated positively in terms of emergency preparedness, and the other half as satisfactory, according to Vitkauskas.

“There is no negative assessment, and we can be pleased that the minimum requirement to ensure the institution’s operation for up to 30 days is met,” he said.

The NKVC head noted, however, that ideally, hospitals should be ready to operate for up to 90 days in emergency situations, which is where the inspected establishments faced issues.

The official said the problems were related not only to shortages of medication or personal protective equipment but also, for example, to ensuring food supply.

“Certain establishments have decentralised food supply, so there is a very high dependence on food supply chains,” he said.

The inspections revealed inconsistencies in the hospitals’ preparedness for autonomous electricity supply.

“Every hospital I mentioned has generators, but some have only one and some have twelve. So, this difference exists,” Vitkauskas said.

According to him, the Health Ministry has shared the inspection findings with each hospital and plans have been made to remedy the shortcomings.