Improving health outcomes in complex international environments requires more than good intentions — it requires strategy, structure, and multinational cooperation.

The NATO Military Global Health Engagement (MGHE) Course provides a structured educational response to these challenges.

The course was conducted in Budapest from 23-27 February, under the umbrella of the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine (MILMED COE), in close collaboration with the UK Defence Medical Services Centre for Defence Engagement (CDE) and the Uniformed Services University’s National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC).

In its second iteration, the course brought together 20 participants from seven nations, reflecting continued multinational interest in Defence Health Engagement across the Alliance.

Over five intensive days at Stefánia Palace, participants examined the context and principles of Military Global Health Engagement, developed and managed structured plans for Defence Health Engagement activities, analysed potential operational and coordination frictions, and applied monitoring and evaluation methods to ensure measurable and sustainable impact.

Through lectures, seminars, and collaborative group work, the course provided a coherent, Alliance-wide framework for planning and implementing Defence Health Engagement initiatives in multinational environments.

The multinational character of the course was reflected not only in the student body, but also in the faculty, with expert contributions from Canada and the Netherlands, further strengthening the collaborative and Alliance-wide dimension of the programme.

As a relatively new and cross-cutting addition to the MILMED COE portfolio, the MGHE Course addresses the strategic, tactical, and civil–military dimensions of Defence Health Engagement. Its scope extends beyond traditional medical training formats, bridging policy, planning, interoperability, and ethical considerations within a structured educational framework.

The course was officially opened by Brigadier General Dr. Jens Diehm, Director of the MILMED COE. In his remarks, he emphasized the growing importance of this course in today’s rapidly evolving security environment, where resilience, interoperability, and trusted partnerships are essential to effective Defence Health Engagement. The Director presented certificates to the participants after successful completion of the NATO MGHE course.

Education is not an adjunct to Defence Health Engagement — it is one of its strategic enablers.
Through multinational learning and cooperation, the NATO MGHE Course strengthens not only capability, but also trust — the foundation of effective Defence Health Engagement.