700 people protest in Zerbst: Save our clinic!

700 people protest in Zerbst: Save our clinic!

In Zerbst, in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, the waves are currently making waves. Around 700 people gathered on October 8, 2025 to demonstrate for the preservation of the local hospital. The reason for the protests is the fear that the private operator Helios could close the clinic. The demonstration was triggered by the announcement that the clinic's orthopedists were to move to Burg in mid-October, which effectively meant the department would be closed.

Not only would the clinic's 11 orthopedists and 6 surgeons be affected by a closure, but also the 2 trauma surgeons. This means that only around 40% of the previous doctor capacity would be available in orthopedics alone. Uncertainty about the future of other staff, such as nurses and physiotherapists, increases the concerns of citizens and medical staff.

The voices from politics

The issue has also strongly mobilized local politics. Mayor Andreas Dittmann (SPD) expresses concern about the possible closure of the location and describes orthopedics as the clinic's lifeline. He called for protests and made it clear how important medical care is in the region. He is supported by Holger Hövelmann (SPD), the former Interior Minister, who is also committed to preserving the Zerbst location.

A spokesman for Helios, however, remained unclear in his statements about the future of the site. Although he discussed the creation of a competence center in Burg, many participants in the demonstration worried about longer travel times to medical facilities in Magdeburg and Dessau. Such distances can represent a significant hurdle for many people, especially older people, when it comes to accessing medical services.

The importance of orthopedic care

The Zerbst Hospital is not only important for the local population, but also has national significance. With 160 beds, the facility treats over 8,000 patients every year, who come to the clinic primarily for orthopedic procedures such as the insertion of artificial joints. The length of stay is usually eight to ten days, and rehabilitation usually begins the day after the operation. These are essential aspects of patients' quality of life that could be severely affected if the department were to be closed.

Challenges in rural regions

The problem in Zerbst is not unique. Medical and nursing care is often limited in rural regions. As bpb reports, there are fewer health care facilities in these areas compared to urban centers, and the small populations lead to larger catchment areas for medical providers. This can result in long travel distances for patients, particularly older people who often require frequent medical care.

Overall, maintaining health care in rural areas is critical. Innovative approaches, such as telemedicine or collaborations between general practitioners and specialists, could help overcome the challenges in medical care and ensure that all citizens – regardless of where they live – have access to high-quality healthcare services.

The coming weeks are crucial for the Zerbst Clinic. It remains to be seen whether the protests will be heard and a closure can be averted. But citizens are determined to show that they care about the future of their medical care.