Berlin clinics: crisis plan in the construction phase, infrastructure at the limit!

Berlin clinics: crisis plan in the construction phase, infrastructure at the limit!

Berlin is facing an immense challenge: According to Berliner Zeitung, the city's hospitals are severely impaired by structural deficiencies such as leaky roofs, flooded basements and an acute shortage of staff. This situation is becoming even more urgent as the Senate is working in collaboration with the Bundeswehr on a “Civil Defense Hospital Framework Plan” to prepare the city for the emergency of a NATO alliance.

The aim of the framework is to establish Berlin as a logistical turntable for the supply of material, personnel and wounded in the event of war. In the event of an attack, up to 100 wounded per day is expected in the city, which, in view of the existing overload of the health system, is an enormous challenge. Critics, such as Alexander King from the Berlin House of Representatives, have denounced contradictions between the theoretical NATO resilience goals and the real situation of the hospitals.

Massive changes required

The rbb24 emphasizes that the framework plan was developed by the health administration and the Berlin clinics. It is determined that the risk situation changed as a result of the Russian robbery to Ukraine 2022 requires stable health care even in the event of war. The Berlin clinics are said to be prepared for special injury patterns and have sufficient emergency power units and medical supplies.

Despite these efforts, Berlin's crisis-proof health care infrastructure falls short of expectations. Experts like Prof. Dr. Leif Erik Sander from the Charité is calling for a timely modernization of the outdated health facilities and a strengthening of digitalization. He warns that preparations for possible crisis scenarios must begin now to ensure health security. The managing director of the German Hospital Association, Gerald Gaß, also points out that the system is inadequately prepared for war.

Uncertain financing and lack of transparency

A central problem is financial resources. The investment backlog in Berlin clinics is alarming; In addition, investment subsidies were reduced. According to Apotheken Umschau, there is a significant need for clear resilience strategies and a robust digital infrastructure. The need for a health security law that regulates responsibilities in the event of a crisis is increasingly being addressed.

The duration and resources of the working group "Civil defense hospitals" are not without criticism. The plans are treated as a matter of the closure, which denies both the public and MPs access to relevant information. Questions about responsibilities and the role of the Bundeswehr in procurement remain unanswered.

The vision of a crisis-proof healthcare system is therefore in contradiction to reality: According to the Senate, the load limit of many facilities is already being reached during normal operation. Savings have been made on critical infrastructure for years, and the pressure on the health system could hardly be managed in an emergency. There is an increasing demand for a clear strategy to improve crisis resistance in order to be able to adequately protect the Berlin population in an emergency.