Berlin mourns around Dr. Jenny de la Torre Castro: A life for homeless people

Berlin mourns around Dr. Jenny de la Torre Castro: A life for homeless people

Berlin, Deutschland - The Senate Department for Science, Health and Care in Berlin mourns the loss of Dr. Jenny de la Torre Castro, an extraordinary personality who has campaigned for social justice and medical care for homeless people all her life. She died on June 12, 2025 and leaves a significant legacy that has touched countless people in Berlin. Senator Dr. Ina Czyborra describes it as an outstanding personality and role model, whose work was characterized by empathy and respect. This underlines the great gap that leaves her death.

dr. De la Torre Castro was born in Nazca, Peru in 1954 and grew up in precarious conditions. This experience motivated her early on to become a doctor. She started her studies in Peru in 1973 and later continued in the GDR, where she completed her medical studies in 1982. At the Charité in Berlin, she completed her specialist training as a pediatric surgeon and did her doctorate in 1990 with summa cum laude. In 1994 she began to treat homeless people at the Berlin Ostbahnhof and has developed extensive health initiatives since then. Her commitment culminated in the establishment of a health center for homeless people in Berlin-Mitte, which offers medical, psychosocial and legal help.

an engagement for the homeless

dr. De La Torre Castro fought tirelessly against bureaucratic hurdles that made homeless people difficult to gain access to medical care. She examined about 25 patients a day and ensured that despite the difficult circumstances, they received the necessary help. Her foundation of the "Jenny de la Torre Foundation" in 2002 was a crucial step in her efforts to create sustainable medical support for these vulnerable groups. She has received several awards for her services, including the Federal Cross of Merit and the Louise Schröder medal of the Berlin House of Representatives.

The urgency of their work is underlined by the current situation in Berlin: medical care for homeless and people without health insurance is becoming increasingly difficult. According to the second health report of the round table for medical care for homeless people, the number of homeless people in Berlin has increased. In 2023, almost 10,000 people were taken care of, 82 percent of which had no health insurance. In particular for people who are not insured, medical help is becoming increasingly inadequate because the practices and outpatient clinics are financially weak.

an unfinished legacy

The demands for the establishment of health centers especially for homeless people have been in existence for a long time, but the implementation is not possible. Health Senator Dr. Ina Czyborra in principle supports the demands, indicating that money will only be available for such projects in the two -day side household (from 2028). This delay is a major challenge for the people concerned and shows how important the commitment of personalities such as Dr. Jenny de la Torre Castro stays aware of the grievances and fighting for changes.

The Senate Administration expresses their deepest sympathy for relatives and employees of the Jenny-de-La-Torre Foundation. The legacy of Dr. De la Torre Castro is kept alive through the continuing challenges in health care for homeless and the resulting measures in Berlin. Her tireless pursuit of social justice does not end with her death - it remains an important memory and an incentive for everyone who also campaigns for a better life situation of the weaker in our society.