Half a million euros for the rehabilitation clinic in Strausberg: A ray of hope for children!

Half a million euros for the rehabilitation clinic in Strausberg: A ray of hope for children!

The rehabilitation landscape for children in Brandenburg is receiving a significant boost. On November 13, 2025, it was announced that the rehabilitation clinic for children with heart and cancer in Strausberg would receive funding of around half a million euros. This financial support was announced by the Brandenburg Ministry of Health, with the State Health Minister Britta Müller personally presenting the funding notice during a visit to the clinic. The aftercare clinic, which was founded in January 2024 and is currently in the approval process, plans to accept its first patients soon.

The clinic will set up specialist departments for pediatric cardiology and oncology. By the end of 2026, 58 rehabilitation places will be available here for children with heart and cancer and their families. In Germany, around 7,000 children are born with heart defects every year, and around 2,200 children and young people develop cancer. For these young patients, specialized rehabilitation measures are of great importance in order to improve their quality of health.

Financing and grants

The funds for the rehabilitation clinic come from the assets of the parties and mass organizations of the former GDR, also known as PMO funds. These funds are managed in trust by the Federal Agency for Special Tasks Related to Unification (BvS). Since reunification, Brandenburg has received 91.7 million euros and Berlin 44.6 million euros from these funds. The Evangelical Diakonieverein Berlin-Zehlendorf is the operator of the aftercare clinic at Straussee.

The clinic currently employs 40 people. At full capacity by 2026, a further 120 jobs and training positions are planned, which will also help create new perspectives for the region.

Rehabilitation options for children

The rehabilitation clinics for children and adolescents specialize in the treatment of complaints in children and adolescents as well as in young adults. In addition to heart and cancer diseases, rehabilitation measures can also be applied for for patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, severe obesity, psychological problems such as ADHD and severe school problems. The first point of contact for prescribing rehabilitation is usually the pediatrician, child and adolescent psychiatrist or family doctor. Information about other rehabilitation clinics can be accessed via Children's and Youth Rehab on the Net.

The new aftercare clinic is a decisive step towards improving the care outcomes for children with heart and cancer in Brandenburg, while the clinic prepares to admit the first patients.