More Med Care Centers in Saxony-Anhalt: A Critical Situation?
Increased Number of Healthcare Facilities in Saxony-Anhalt - Expanded health facilities in Saxony-Anhalt
The number of Medical Care Centers (MVZ) in Saxony-Anhalt has skyrocketed in recent years, with 111 facilities by the end of 2024 compared to 74 in 2019, as per a state parliamentarian Nicole Anger (Left)'s inquiry. The highest concentration can be found in Halle (23), Magdeburg (19), the Harz district (12), and the Burgenlandkreis (11).
Critics like Anger argue that the growing number of privately-owned MVZs is skewing the balance towards economic interests over medical needs. The surge in profit-driven providers has led to a focus on lucrative specialties like surgery, orthopedics, radiology, and dentistry at the expense of less profitable primary care.
Health care in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, particularly in the north of the state, is reportedly in a dire state with both MVZ and hospital infrastructures lacking. Anger insists that the state must intervene to bridge these supply gaps and boost community-oriented and municipal MVZs.
Interestingly, Saxony-Anhalt currently has no municipal MVZs. In response to Anger's inquiry, the state government stated no municipality is actively pursuing an MVZ founding intention, and no funds are allocated in the state budget for the promotion and support of municipal MVZs.
MVZs differ from doctor’s practices as they involve an organizational separation of ownership from medical treatment, with doctors often employed there as staff. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, MVZs can be organized as interdisciplinary or doctor group-specific facilities.
As demographic changes, rising costs, and supply bottlenecks strain the healthcare landscape, Saxony-Anhalt's strategic measures focus on innovative, sustainable healthcare models aimed at addressing these challenges, particularly in rural regions. Initiatives and policies include strategic regional adjustments, integrated and interdisciplinary care models, institutional support, and workforce development initiatives to bolster rural healthcare access.
[1] AOK Sachsen-Anhalt Strategic Measures for Regional Healthcare Improvement [source]
[2] Innovative Care Models for Rural Areas [source]
[3] Government and Institutional Support [source]
[4] Rural Doctor Quota and Workforce Development [source]
- The escalating number of Medical Care Centers (MVZ) in Saxony-Anhalt, particularly in urban areas like Halle and Magdeburg, has sparked concerns about the balance between economic interests and medical needs.
- Critics, such as state parliamentarian Nicole Anger (Left), advocate for more community-oriented and municipal MVZs to address the supply gaps, especially in regions like the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel.
- With no municipal MVZs currently existing in Saxony-Anhalt, the state government needs to encourage and support their development to improve health care access, particularly in rural areas.
- Vocational training programs in healthcare, such as those focused on orthopedics and other medical-conditions-related fields, could play a significant role in bolstering the rural healthcare workforce as part of the strategic measures under consideration.
- Collaborative efforts, like community aid initiatives and policy-and-legislation focused on rural healthcare, could also help ensure reliable provision of health services, particularly given the challenges posed by demographic changes, rising costs, and supply bottlenecks.
- To address these pressing issues, the state government is exploring sustainable healthcare models, including innovative care models, institutional support, workforce development initiatives, and strategic regional adjustments, according to sources like AOK Sachsen-Anhalt Strategic Measures for Regional Healthcare Improvement, Innovative Care Models for Rural Areas, Government and Institutional Support, and Rural Doctor Quota and Workforce Development.
