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Together against the closure: 600 Wittstock residents for their hospital!
On November 10th, 2025, 600 people demonstrated in Wittstock for the preservation of the hospital against planned closures.
Together against the closure: 600 Wittstock residents for their hospital!
In Wittstock, a small town in Brandenburg, around 600 people gathered last Sunday to protest against the planned closure of the local hospital. This initiative was launched by the “Wittstock shows face” association to ensure that medical care is maintained locally. The participants in the demonstration marched from the market square through several streets to the town hall on Ringstrasse, where they loudly expressed their demands. In times when health care is being put to the test in many places, this clearly shows how important it is to citizens to maintain their hospital, which also acts as a lifeline in times of acute medical emergencies.
The clinic management company (KMG) has announced that it will close the hospital in Wittstock on January 1, 2027 and move all specialist departments to Pritzwalk. The reason for this drastic measure lies in the nationwide hospital reform, which will come into force in 2027. District Administrator Ralf Reinhardt explained during the demonstration that he would expand the rescue station on Meyenburger Chaussee and station an additional vehicle there. In addition, the focus on outpatient care urgently needs to be expanded so that nighttime medical emergencies can also be adequately treated.
Political reactions and plans
Health Minister Britta Müller has announced that she will set up a medical care center (MVZ) in the old cloth factory at Dosseteich, which will receive financial support from the federal and state governments. However, Mayor Philipp Wacker expressed skepticism and emphasized that one should not get excited too early, as many questions remain unanswered regarding implementation. The “Wittstock shows face” association also remains pessimistic about the emergency clinic and the details of the MVZ.
In a further twist, Mayor Karl-Friedrich Schült announced that he would be appearing in Berlin again to clarify the concerns of citizens and the criticism of the lack of solutions in health care. He receives support from the Political Working Group on Health in Berlin. The resistance to the closure plans is clearly noticeable, especially in view of the assessment of Ute Mentzel, a former general practitioner, who described the situation as a scandal and expressed concerns about the time it would take to complete the MVZ.
A round table on healthcare in Wittstock is scheduled to take place on November 17th. Here, those involved will certainly discuss options and solutions to ensure basic medical care in the region. The needs and concerns of the population are at the forefront, and the demonstration last Sunday was a clear sign that something needs to be done here.
The battle for the local hospital is not just a question of medical infrastructure, but also a reflection of the challenges facing many communities today. The citizens of Wittstock make it clear that they care about the health and well-being of their fellow human beings and are prepared to fight to preserve their facility.