Saxony-Anhalt: University hospitals with a deficit of millions - what is happening now!

Saxony-Anhalt: University hospitals with a deficit of millions - what is happening now!

The university hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt are deeply in the red. Loud Medical Journal Magdeburg University Hospital will have to reckon with a deficit of around 51.9 million euros this year, while Halle University Hospital is expecting a loss of around 34 million euros. Together, the deficit for both clinics from 2020 to 2024 amounts to a shocking 325 million euros.

The reasons for this financial crisis are diverse. Increases in tariffs and material costs that are not refinanced are putting enormous strain on the clinics. Price increases in the procurement areas simply exceed the increases in compensation for these important maximum suppliers. The pressure on hospital finances is increasing, which could also affect the treatment of patients.

State support and future projects

Despite this bleak financial situation, the state of Saxony-Anhalt shows its face and invests considerable sums in the two university hospitals. How the Ministry of Finance reported, the clinics recently signed entrustment agreements worth a total of 434 million euros. Between Finance Minister Michael Richter and Science Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann emphasized that the funds should be used to strengthen resilience against pandemics and health challenges. To this end, a training center for pandemic and disaster management is to be implemented in Halle and digitalization measures are to be implemented in Magdeburg.

Of course, these means do not come by chance. Part of the money will be provided from a supplementary budget, which includes pandemic-related costs amounting to 114 million euros. There is also a special fund of 320 million euros for maintenance costs and investments, with a total of 975 million euros earmarked for the healthcare system.

Innovations through IT and medical technology

Another bright spot is the area of ​​information technology and medical technology at the university hospital. The IT and medical technology division (ITMT) not only supports the clinics with data processing, but also ensures the smooth functioning of the IT infrastructure, as below itmt.med.ovgu.de can be read. The business area works intensively to optimally support users of the IT infrastructure and to create a solid network for clinical processes.

In summary, it can be said that the university hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt are facing a major challenge. But the combined efforts of the state and clinic management as well as investments in future projects offer approaches to overcoming this crisis. It remains to be hoped that the support will be fruitful and that the clinics will soon be back on solid financial ground.