Hospitals are at the forefront of responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. Preparing health facilities to manage these complex incidents while maintaining essential health services is critical to strengthening national health security.
On 15–17 September 2026, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in collaboration with the Health Emergency Situations Centre of the Ministry of Health of Lithuania and national partners, will convene a 3-day CBRN Hospital Preparedness Workshop in Vilnius, Lithuania. The workshop is implemented under the joint European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety–WHO/Europe CBRN Action.
Bringing together hospital leaders, emergency managers, clinicians, national authorities and international experts, the workshop will strengthen hospital preparedness using an all-hazards approach while focusing on the unique challenges posed by CBRN incidents.
The programme combines strategic discussions with practical technical sessions covering hospital emergency planning, incident management, staff preparedness, personal protective equipment, decontamination, radiation protection, clinical management, mental health considerations and coordination mechanisms. Participants will also explore how hospitals can strengthen resilience through the 4S framework of health service delivery: System, Staff, Stuff and Space.
A highlight of the workshop will be a full-day interactive simulation using the internationally recognized Emergo Train System. Through a realistic radiological emergency scenario, multidisciplinary hospital teams will test decision-making, coordination, surge management, patient flow, contamination control and resource allocation in a safe learning environment.
The workshop forms part of WHO/Europe’s ongoing support to Member States to strengthen hospital resilience and enhance preparedness for high-impact emergencies, ensuring that health systems are better equipped to protect patients, health workers and communities during CBRN events.