(Chirurgeon: an archaic word for surgeon) How about implementing a recruit-able chirurgeon that hastens the recovery time for injuries after battle. Like having the temple treat injuries. Make finding them extremely rare and/or expensive, so it’s best to keep them in reserve only.
A wise general wins before the battle, while the ignorant general must fight to win - Zhuge Liang
If the devs get the chance to continue work on the game beyond the release, I am pretty sure that camp followers are one of the features that then will be added.