Throughout Germany, the standards of health care are very high. But due to an increasing lack of doctors, especially in the rural regions, the federal and state governments have to work hard in order to maintain the high standards.

This is why the Ministry of Health of Rhineland-Palatinate has launched the future programme "Health and Nursing 2020", the declared aim of which is to ensure good medical and nursing care, especially in rural areas.

With around 100 hospitals, Rhineland-Palatinate has a needs-based, comprehensive hospital care system. Outpatient GP and specialist care is still at a good level in all regions of the state. According to the demand plan, there is no undersupply in any GP planning area.

However, demographic change is constantly changing people's needs. With the increase in the number of people in need of care, asylum seekers and generations of elderly people, the care system is under great pressure to adapt.

There is often a lack of skilled personnel, especially in rural areas. For this reason, the promotion of young talent, staying in the workforce, new career prospects, training and further education opportunities and the attractiveness of working conditions are the focus of the "Health and Care - 2020" future program. For example, there is the rural doctor quota, in which candidates obligate themselves to work as family doctors in rural areas for ten years in return for a place at university. On the one hand, this should ensure care in rural areas and, on the other hand, enable some candidates to pursue their dream profession of a doctor despite the obstacle of the required marks in their diploma.

In addition, the country is trying to raise awareness of health, food and exercise through campaigns such as "I move - I'm fine" or "Learning to live healthy".

Sources:

www.msagd.rlp.de

www.diebewegung.de

zusammengestellt von Annika Kristeit