Published on
29/06/2026 - 17:39 GMT+2
The heatwave, which has claimed thousands of lives across Europe, has exposed the need for health systems to better prepare for extreme temperatures. As temperatures topped 40°C in parts of the continent, emergency calls increased, hospitals treated more patients with heat-related illnesses, and older adults and people with chronic conditions faced heightened risks.
"Recognise extreme heat as a health crisis and act before temperatures peak," Kluge wrote in a post on X on Monday.
"Heat preparedness must be operational: freeing beds, protecting high-risk patients, securing cooling, checking backup power and supporting health workers," he added.
