The health authorities in Saxony-Anhalt warn of a slowdown in digitalization and personnel shortages. There are already more than 30 unfilled positions in the districts and independent cities – especially for doctors, in hygiene and in socio-psychiatric areas, as a survey by the German Press Agency showed. The result is longer waiting times, delays in official medical reports and restrictions on screening in schools, it said.
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One reason for the concern is the expiry of the ÖGD pact at the end of 2026. The federal-state program to strengthen the public health service (ÖGD) was decided in response to the corona pandemic. The health authorities point out that the funds were used to purchase hardware and software and to digitize processes. “The end of this funding will slow down further digitization,” said a spokesman for the Harz district.
Consequences for children with psychological stress
In the Salzland district, instruction according to the Infection Protection Act (health certificate) can be carried out online. It was said that this would remain the case. “But new, innovative projects certainly could not be implemented to the same extent if the ÖGD pact were eliminated,” said the Salzlandkreis. In the Saale district, a total of seven jobs created through the ÖGD pact are at risk of being lost. According to the information, this would have an impact on hygiene tasks, school examinations and services for children and young people with psychological stress.
Bottlenecks in school medical examinations
In the Stendal district, for example, current vacancies are already leading to bottlenecks in school medical examinations, waiting lists in the official medical service and a backlog of reports. Restrictions on assessments and a reduction in school series examinations are also reported in Anhalt-Bitterfeld and the Börde district. The Wittenberg district cites the lack of medical examinations in daycare centers and third grade classes.
The Burgenland district demands planning security. “The aim must be for the ÖGD to continue to position itself competently and in a crisis-capable manner for the region in order to arm itself against new pandemics and military conflicts,” said a spokesman. It is also about dealing with emerging ongoing crises such as climate change.
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Health promotion as a mandatory municipal task?
Barmer advocates that health promotion no longer remains a voluntary task for municipalities, but rather becomes a mandatory task. Against the backdrop of increasing healthcare spending, prevention is a key to strengthening individual health and relieving the burden on the healthcare system, explained state managing director Birgit Dziuk. The health insurance company is calling for the ÖGD to be strengthened. “We need funding to be stabilized, otherwise investments made in recent years will evaporate,” said Dziuk.
The Minister of Social Affairs sees the federal government as required
The Ministry of Social Affairs in Magdeburg announced that the federal and state governments had not yet agreed on a joint commitment to sustainable financing. “After the end of the pact, the federal government is urgently called upon not to let the important financial tailwind for the ÖGD subside. Newly created structures – especially in the area of digitalization – must be continuously strengthened and sustainably expanded,” said Social Affairs Minister Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD).
According to the information, the federal government has so far provided Saxony-Anhalt with around 60 million euros to increase staff in the health authorities and to increase the attractiveness of the public health service. 90 percent of the funds went to the districts and independent cities.
(mack)
