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As a consequence of the ongoing corona pandemic, the federal and state governments want to create at least 5,000 new and permanent full-time positions in the public health service by the end of 2022.
In a first step, there should be at least 1,500 positions for doctors, other specialist staff and administrative staff by December 31, 2021, said Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and the chairwoman of the state health ministers, Berlin's Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD), in Berlin .
In addition to the new positions, the aim is to improve the digitization of health departments and authorities as well as to make work in the public health service more attractive and create sustainable structures.
The 375 health authorities play an essential role in tracking chains of infection and ordering tests and quarantine.
Spahn said the goal is a networked health service across all levels.
He spoke of the largest investment in this area in the history of the Federal Republic.
When asked whether the increase in jobs was even feasible, the minister said that there were 10 to 20 posts per health department.
He is confident that this can be achieved together within two years.
Four billion euros by 2026
Kalayci said the implementation would be a feat for the federal, state and local governments.
The corona pandemic showed that the health authorities are a central pillar of the health system.
The black-red coalition committee agreed on June 22nd to provide a total of 4 billion euros by 2026 for the implementation of the "Pact for the Public Health Service".
The German Association of Cities stated that the cities had made it clear that the aid should not be a flash in the pan.
The idea will be taken up, said City Council President Burkhard Jung, who is also Lord Mayor of Leipzig.
The ministers wanted to stabilize the funding of staff growth beyond 2026.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) praised the role of the health authorities in fighting the pandemic in her weekly video podcast.
"If our country has come through the pandemic so relatively well, if the infection rate has not reached the extent that we had to observe in other countries, then that has to do with what is done every day in the public health service," she said.
On Tuesday, Merkel wants to speak to those responsible on site in a video conference.
The resolutions in detail
Personnel:
There should be more jobs at all levels - in the local health departments and authorities, the state offices dealing with the issue and the highest state authorities.
In principle, however, 90 percent of the positions in lower health authorities such as the health authorities should be created, according to the resolution.
Part-time positions can also be increased.
The federal government wants to create 40 positions for implementation and evaluation by the end of 2021.
Digitization:
The communication platform DEMIS (German Electronic Reporting and Information System for Infection Protection) is to be available to all federal and state health authorities by the end of 2022.
The aim is to speed up and simplify reporting procedures.
The establishment of DEMIS at the Robert Koch Institute (is financed by the federal government. In addition to the 4 billion euros for the package, the federal government will provide financial aid of 50 million euros as early as 2020. A total of 800 million euros are earmarked for better digitization The federal states undertake to ensure that common minimum digital standards are observed in the public health service (ÖGD). The standards are to be developed by the Federal Ministry of Health with the federal states, cities and municipalities as well as other experts by spring 2021.
Attractiveness:
So that the positions can also be filled, the work in the ÖGD should become more attractive.
There should be incentives through salary law as well as through collective bargaining agreements and other measures.
The federal states also want to improve the number of permanent medical staff.
To make this happen quickly, each country should be able to use up to ten percent of its share from the pact.
The federal government and the federal states also want to achieve a deeper connection between the ÖGD and science in continuing education and training.
In the future, medical students should be introduced to the relevant subject areas more closely during their studies.
The federal states undertake to provide educational institutions with appropriate personnel and material.
For this purpose, the federal states are to provide funds from the pact in the amount of 35 million euros for five years.
Sustainable structures:
The ÖGD has increasingly become the central point of contact in health promotion and prevention, according to the resolution.
For this reason, the health service for coming pandemics and other national health emergencies should be better organized, both organizationally and legally.
An external and independent expert advisory board is to create the basis for this.
International health security:
Years ago, Germany named airports and seaports to the World Health Organization (WHO) where special devices must be kept available, for example in the fight against Ebola.
According to Spahn, these include the airports in Frankfurt / Main, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf as well as the ports in Hamburg and Bremen.
The federal government is now making available 50 million euros for a funding program to strengthen these structures.
Implementation:
The federal government provides the federal states with a one-off 3.1 billion euros - in six tranches.
In return, the federal states receive fixed amounts as part of the sales tax distribution upon proof.
These funds are primarily intended to be used to increase staff numbers and to make work in the ÖGD more attractive.
The remaining funds will be used to set up structures, for research and evaluation, and to strengthen federal authorities.
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kfr / dpa