Trump sending a hospital ship? The Prime Minister of Denmark reminds the US about free treatment
2026-02-22 13:25
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2026-02-22 13:25
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, referring to US President Donald Trump's announcement to send a hospital ship to Greenland, stated on Sunday that Danish and Greenlandic healthcare is free and available to everyone.
In a Facebook post, Frederiksen expressed satisfaction that in Denmark and Greenland “it is not insurance and wealth that determine whether you receive appropriate treatment.” The private health insurance system operates in the United States.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen reminded that Greenlanders are provided with health care in Greenland and can also receive treatment in Denmark. “There is no need to take special measures in this regard,” he emphasized in an interview with the Danish public broadcaster DR.
We will send a wonderful hospital ship to Greenland
“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we will send a great hospital ship to Greenland to care for the many sick people who do not receive care there. It is on its way!!!” – Trump wrote in a post on the Truth Social platform. The president did not elaborate on his statement or explain the reason for sending the ship. In addition to serving as governor of Louisiana, Landry also serves as U.S. special envoy for Greenland.
Trump's Saturday announcement to send a hospital ship to Greenland was criticized by the Danish Nursing Council. “This is an unnecessary provocation towards health care workers who take care of health every day throughout the Kingdom of Denmark,” the organization said in a statement. It was added that if necessary, support would be provided to the Greenlanders as part of cooperation with Denmark, but there was no need to use an American ship.
In Greenland, access to healthcare is a challenge, including: due to difficult arctic conditions. Numbering 56 thousand the population of this island is scattered in small towns and fishing villages between which there are no roads, and transport is carried out by helicopters or planes. There is a hospital in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk, where the problem is, among others, insufficient local staff. Doctors are often brought in on short contracts from Denmark and other countries.
The governments of Greenland and Denmark cooperate in the field of specialized health care, and in many cases Greenlanders can count on free hospitalization in Denmark. (PAP)
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