The Saarland Minister of Health, Dr Magnus Jung, recently presented District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo with three grant notifications totalling almost 1.4 million euros to strengthen the Saarpfalz district's public health department. The funds come from the Pact for the Public Health Service (ÖGD), which the federal and state governments concluded on 29 September 2020 and which is intended to enable the health authorities to recruit more staff.
"The Public Health Service (ÖGD) plays a central role in the German healthcare system. During the pandemic, the health authorities have impressively demonstrated their efficiency. Nevertheless, it has become clear that they need to be strengthened in the long term and better prepared for future challenges. The federal government has taken measures to meet this need," emphasised the Minister.
District employees Dr Anne-Michaela Moritz, paediatrician in the children's and youth health service of the public health department, and Rosina Massow, IT employee, attended the meeting and answered the minister's questions about the Public Health Service Pact with regard to the traditional and new tasks of a public health department, the increase in personnel, central digitalisation measures and changes to the future-proof structures of the public health service.
As part of the public health service (ÖGD), the Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsdienst (KJGD) accompanies the health development of children and young people from birth to the age of 18. The doctors in the KJGD examine and advise in a supportive manner, do not act therapeutically and are integrated into the medical infrastructure of a municipality alongside other sectors such as paediatric clinics and paediatric practices.
Its main tasks include the nationwide medical check-up of all children starting school for the first time. The KJGD is also involved in infection and immunisation protection as well as health promotion and health reporting. With its early help system, the KJGD is also the point of contact for pregnant women and families with children aged between zero and three.
"In recent years, chronic illnesses and mental behavioural problems have increased among children and young people with special support needs, particularly in everyday school life. School health professionals with medical and health-related experience, for example, could meet the increased need for care and counselling," said Dr Anne-Michaela Moritz.
"Changes and additional requirements are on the agenda in the area of paediatric and adolescent medicine, where increased supportive commitment is required, which can only be satisfactorily realised through the expansion of personnel resources. I am therefore very grateful to the federal and state governments that we can position ourselves better with the financial resources provided and that we as a district will at least be relieved financially in these areas," said District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, adding: "The ÖGD is facing further complex challenges. For example, cooperation between people and technology plays a decisive role in a successful digital transformation."
The district administrator therefore made his IT employee Rosina Massow available to chair the Digital Development Working Group of the Saarland Public Health Service. The aim of the inter-municipal cooperation is to develop future-proof, digital solutions that meet the requirements and needs of employees as well as the needs of citizens through appealing digital offerings.