Where Science meets Mission
20 years of partnership between the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Hamburg, 2 September 2026 – For 20 years, leading experts in tropical medicine and infection biology have been working together successfully at the BNITM, the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, and the UKE. To mark this anniversary, an academic ceremony was held on 1 September 2026, featuring welcome addresses, keynote speeches and a panel discussion. The BNITM invites members of the public to another event on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm in the BNITM’s historic lecture hall – the programme will include fascinating talks on the partners’ joint research projects and missions.
Yesterday evening, the BNITM, the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, and the UKE looked back on 20 years of successful partnership. At an academic ceremony, representatives of the three institutions highlighted their collaborative efforts at the interface of research, clinical care, and operational preparedness, while also addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
Working together to tackle global health crises
Prof. Dr Jürgen May, Chairman of the BNITM, emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration: “Tropical medicine is a field that requires diverse perspectives and expertise. This collaboration is special because it brings together the Bundeswehr Medical Services’s experience from overseas deployments, the UKE’s clinical expertise, and the BNITM’s knowledge in tropical medicine, including infection control, research and fieldwork. It is an example of how institutions can achieve more together than they can alone.”
The collaboration between the three Hamburg-based institutions, which has evolved over more than 20 years, brings together expertise in basic science, clinical medicine, and operational medical and logistical know-how. In recent years, the three partners have made significant contributions to the fight against infectious diseases. Whether in research into haemorrhagic fevers, the clinical care of patients with tropical diseases or the training of specialist staff, the partnership has demonstrated its value in numerous projects and crisis situations.
Historical roots, modern solutions
The ceremony highlighted that the collaboration’s historical roots can be traced back to the founding of the BNITM. Today, the three partner institutions are continuing this tradition through modern approaches: deploying mobile laboratories in crisis zones, conducting clinical trials on neglected diseases, training specialists for international missions, and collaborating with partner institutions in African countries.
In his welcome address, the First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr Peter Tschentscher, emphasised the importance of the collaboration between the three institutions, not only for medical research and healthcare in Hamburg but also for global health:
“The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the UKE have an excellent reputation and are ideal collaborative partners. They stand for scientific excellence, for medical research, and patient care of the highest standard. For decades, they have been collaborating in the field of tropical and infectious diseases, which is of global significance and of the utmost practical importance, particularly for a port city and an international metropolis. For the past 20 years, the Bundeswehr Hospital has also been part of this strong Hamburg alliance against tropical infectious diseases. This collaboration is an outstanding example of the excellent civil-military cooperation in Hamburg. On behalf of the Senate, I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved. I wish you continued success in your work and all the best for the future.”
The welcome addresses were followed by keynote speeches by Major General (Medical Corps) Dr Hans-Ulrich Holtherm (Commandant of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Munich), Prof. Dr Christian Gerloff (Medical Director and Chairman of the Executive Board of the UKE) and Prof. Dr Jürgen May (Chairman of the Executive Board of the BNITM). Their presentations highlighted the many facets and achievements of the institutions’ joint work.
“Crisis resilience is not only built when a crisis strikes. It grows out of reliable partnerships, shared structures and the trust that develops over many years. Particularly in the face of emerging infectious threats, the cooperation between the UKE, BNITM and the Bundeswehr Hospital is crucial for rapidly translating scientific findings into clinical care and ensuring that we can respond jointly,” says Prof. Gerloff.
Another item on the ceremony programme was a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Future Strategy and Positioning of the Collaboration’. The discussion was moderated by Major (Medical Corps) Dr Saskia Samuel and featured Prof. Dr Michael Ramharter (Head of the Department of Clinical Research at BNITM and Head of Section for Tropical Medicine at the I. Department of Medicine at UKE), Brigadier General Dr Thomas Harbaum (Commander and Medical Director of the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg) and Prof. Dr Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the UKE). The panellists discussed the future priorities of the collaboration.
Brigadier General Dr Harbaum explains: “New operational scenarios for the Bundeswehr require a broader understanding of tropical medicine. Today, the field encompasses far more than the treatment of well-knowm tropical diseases. It also requires knowledge of emerging pathogens, extreme climatic and infrastructural conditions, and the provision of medical care in unstable environments. Our collaboration uniquely links research, clinical expertise and military practice. At the same time, the capabilities developed through this partnership could benefit healthcare provision in Germany in the event of a crisis.”
Invitation to the information event ‘Where Science Meets Mission’ on 30 September 2026 at the BNITM
On 30 September 2026, the BNITM is hosting an exciting information event offering insights into the unique collaboration between the BNITM, the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg and the UKE. The event will take place in the BNITM’s historic lecture hall (Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg). You can register for the event on the BNITM website.
The speakers will explore how clinical expertise, tropical medicine research and the Bundeswehr Medical Service are working together to drive progress:
Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Corps) Dr Dorothea Wiemer (Head of the Department of Tropical Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg) will present how the Department of Tropical Medicine/Infectious Diseases at the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg maintains and restores the health of people staying in tropical climates.
Prof. Dr Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit (Head of the Department of Arbovirology and Entomology at the BNITM) will share his unusual path to the Bundeswehr. Having had no previous military service, he was conscripted relatively late. After several weeks of training, he began as a “Matrose der Reserve” (Reserve Sailor) and eventually rose to the rank of “Flottenarzt” (Fleet Surgeon). He will also discuss why he finds it so rewarding to contribute his expertise in tropical medicine and virology, and how his work with the Bundeswehr took him to the Royal Palace in Thailand.
Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Corps) Prof. Dr Hagen Frickmann (Clinical Director of the Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene and Research Coordinator at the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg) will present collaborative research on the diagnosis and epidemiology of tropical infectious diseases. He will demonstrate how the Medical Service aims to minimise the risks of such infections amongst personnel deployed in the tropical regions.
Prof. Dr Michael Ramharter (Head of the Department of Clinical Research at the BNITM) provides insights into the collaboration between the Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the UKE, the Department of Clinical Research at the BNITM and the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg. He will not only cover the outpatient clinic for travel medicine, the vaccination centre, and tropical dermatology, but also report on his joint field research with colleagues from the Bundeswehr.
Senior Civil Servant Dr Albert Eisenbarth (Head of Entomology within the Tropical Medical Microbiology and Entomology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg) will present collaborative research on the occurrence and biodiversity of tropical tick species in a rainforest region in Central Africa, including the potential infection risk for the exposed population.
About the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM)
The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is Germany’s largest institution for research, clinical care and teaching in the field of tropical and emerging infectious diseases. The BNITM is the National Reference Centre for the detection of all tropical infectious agents, a consultative laboratory for Borna viruses, a WHO Collaborating Centre for arboviruses and haemorrhagic fever viruses, a WHO Collaborating Centre for behavioural research to promote global health, and a member institute of the Leibniz Association. For handling highly pathogenic viruses and infected insects, the institute has laboratories at the highest biosafety level (BSL-4) and a biosafety insectarium (BSL-3). In numerous countries of the Global South, the BNITM provides support in establishing (mobile) laboratory capacities.
About the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg (BwKrhs Hamburg)
The Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg (BwKrhs Hamburg) is one of the five Bundeswehr hospitals in Germany and forms part of the Bundeswehr Medical Service. As a military hospital, it ensures specialist medical and clinical care for service personnel whilst also being firmly integrated into the civilian healthcare system of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Patients with both statutory and private health insurance are regularly treated here in the hospital’s specialist departments.
The hospital combines healthcare for the civilian population with the specific tasks of military healthcare. These include, in particular, medical preparation and care for overseas deployments, as well as in the context of national and alliance defence. Furthermore, the hospital possesses particular expertise in emergency, operational and disaster medicine. As home to the largest emergency centre in northern Germany, the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg makes a significant contribution to ground-based and air-based emergency care in Hamburg and the surrounding region.
About the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Founded in 1889, the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is one of the most modern hospitals in Europe and, with around 17,000 staff, one of the largest employers in Hamburg. Each year, the UKE treats around 595,000 patients, 98,000 of whom are inpatients and 497,000 outpatients. The UKE’s key research areas include, in particular, immunity, infections and inflammation, cardiovascular research, oncology, neuroscience and healthcare research. Around 3,500 students are studying medicine, dentistry and midwifery at the Faculty of Medicine, which is integrated into the UKE.
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