Denmark's defence minister has firmly rejected an offer from former US President Donald Trump to send a hospital ship to Greenland, asserting that the autonomous Danish territory already provides comprehensive healthcare to its population. Troels Lund Poulsen made these remarks in response to Trump's social media posts claiming Greenlanders were "not being taken care of" medically.
Healthcare System in Greenland Deemed Sufficient
In an interview with Danish broadcaster DR, Lund Poulsen emphasized that Greenland's healthcare system meets the needs of its residents. "The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it requires," he stated. "If specialized treatment is necessary, it is provided in Denmark. There is no need for additional healthcare initiatives in Greenland."
Greenland operates under a free healthcare model similar to Denmark's, with five regional hospitals across the vast Arctic island. The largest facility in Nuuk serves patients from throughout the territory. Furthermore, the Greenlandic local government recently signed an agreement with Copenhagen in early February to enhance treatment for Greenlandic patients in Danish hospitals when required.
Trump's Social Media Announcement
On Saturday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "We are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It's on the way!!!" This announcement came despite Trump having previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for US security interests, though he later moderated this stance after discussions with NATO officials.
Lund Poulsen responded that he had no knowledge of any hospital ship's impending arrival and characterized Trump's frequent posts about Greenland as "an expression of the new normal that has taken hold in international politics."
Recent Medical Evacuation Incident
Coincidentally, Denmark's Arctic command reported evacuating a crew member from a US submarine off Nuuk's coast earlier on Saturday after the sailor requested urgent medical attention. This incident highlights existing cooperation between Danish and US authorities in the region, independent of Trump's proposals.
The defence minister's comments underscore Denmark's position that Greenland's healthcare infrastructure is robust and that external medical assistance is unnecessary. This rebuff comes amid ongoing discussions about US influence in the Arctic, though Trump has stepped back from earlier threats to seize the territory.
