Meyenburg's health crisis: conversion to a family doctor's practice begins!

Meyenburg's health crisis: conversion to a family doctor's practice begins!

In Meyenburg, a small town with around 2,000 inhabitants, a lot is happening in terms of health care. The city has bravely invested 260,000 euros in converting two municipal apartments to create a barrier-free family doctor's practice. The aim is to improve local medical care because the need is urgent. There are currently no doctors willing to settle in Meyenburg, which doesn't make the situation any easier for the population. Matthias Habermann, the director of the Meyenburg office, describes the decision to convert as a risk, but one that is necessary to attract new doctors.

Health care is suffering from the absence of young doctors. Things aren't looking much better in the neighboring community of Putlitz-Berge, as Hergen Reker, the director there, notes. With three doctors, all of whom are between 60 and 86 years old, the situation is by no means rosy. Reker supports the restructuring in Meyenburg and emphasizes that doing nothing is not an option. The Putlitz-Berge and Meyenburg offices are actively in contact with the Brandenburg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians and the Prignitz District Hospital in Perleberg to find solutions.

Joint efforts to find a doctor

The district hospital offers support in finding a doctor and even offers the possibility that doctors in Meyenburg can work as employed doctors without having to take the step into self-employment. Karsten Krüger, the head of the clinic in Perleberg, specifically suggests setting up a branch of a medical care center (MVZ) in Meyenburg. These ideas are important, after all, two applicants for family practice have already declined.

The need for medical care in the region is high. Annekatrin Müller, the only family doctor in Meyenburg, has her hands full with her job. With five employees, she looks after up to 1,400 patients per quarter. Reker and Habermann emphasize that the offices want to work together to actively advertise new doctors in the region in order to increase its attractiveness.

The offer of general medicine

But what can future patients expect in the new doctor's office? General practitioners are often the first point of contact when it comes to health concerns. Not only do they treat a variety of acute complaints, but they also offer preventive health checks. This includes, among other things, regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, skin cancer screenings and vaccinations. Anyone suffering from chronic illnesses can receive comprehensive support here and will often be referred to specialists if necessary.

The fact that there is a need for action in Meyenburg could not be clearer. Reker makes it clear that the situation is urgent and it is time to try different approaches to improve medical care. Antje Müller, the only general practitioner in town, certainly has high hopes that the future practice will be a real asset to the region.