Healthcare - MV will cover comprehensive maternity care despite population decrease
The massive birth rate decline in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has consequences for maternity care and pediatric care. The maternity clinics in the region, obstetricians and gynecologists, and midwives are doing excellent work. "However, it is clear that something needs to move, so that a high-quality care provision in this area is guaranteed in 2030 and beyond," said Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) in Schwerin during the presentation of first reform goals.
Patient needs important
It is essential to adapt to demographic developments and geographical conditions in almost all medical fields and institutions from the perspective of patients and patients. Therefore, rigid sectoral boundaries should no longer be maintained. "We must align structures with needs," emphasized the Minister. At the same time, she renewed her demand on the Federal Government to take into account the special conditions of regional areas in future financial allocations to clinics.
Drese spoke in favor of creating more medical centers where various services can be obtained. Hospitals should offer more ambulatory services, and specialists such as pediatricians should regularly hold consultations in general practitioner practices. Telemedicine will gain greater importance in the future, Drese emphasized, referring to the reform guidelines recently presented by a Health Commission. However, there are no statements about the future number of maternity clinics in MV or the size of catchment areas in these guidelines.
Central planning is essential
It is essential to ensure comprehensive and high-quality care, emphasized Professor Steffen Fleßa from the University of Greifswald, who was significantly involved in the development of the guidelines. This requires finding a balance between the accessibility of birthing stations and their performance. "This will not go without central planning. The market will not do it," emphasized Fleßa. Due to declining patient numbers and the relatively poor remuneration for pediatric services, clinic operators in the region have partially reduced their capacities in pediatrics and maternity care.
Fleßa regretted that the specific challenges in providing high-quality healthcare in rural areas were often overlooked in science and politics. "Decisions are often made from a urban perspective," noted the professor. The guidelines developed by the Health Commission for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are comparable to a map that shows the way to the goals in pediatrics and maternity care. "We have to run, get going, that's what we have to do together," said Fleßa.
Low birth rates in MV
According to the Statistics Office, approximately 10,000 babies were born in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in 2023, compared to 12,500 in 2013 and 23,500 in 1990. According to Drese, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had 1.4 children per woman in 2022, the third lowest birth rate of all federal states. In addition, the number of women of childbearing age is declining. As a reaction to this, the already closed maternity care at the Ludwigslust-Parchim District Hospital Crivitz was recently removed from the state hospital plan of the state.
The clinic structure in the country for obstetrics is already lean and, considering demographic and medical developments, there may be no long-term guarantees. "But we are starting in hospital planning with the current 14 locations, which it then also applies to, to set up qualitatively so that there is the best care for the patients there. It is not the approach of hospital planning to close something first", assured Drese.
- Minister Stefanie Drese from the SDP expressed concerns about the future of maternity care in Schwerin, specifically in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, due to the significant birth rate decline.
- Professor Steffen Fleßa from the University of Greifswald stresses the importance of central planning to balance the accessibility and performance of birthing stations, as clinic operators in the region have reduced capacities due to declining patient numbers.
- Ms. Drese advocates for creating more medical centers where various services can be obtained and hospitals offering more ambulatory services, with pediatricians regularly holding consultations in general practitioner practices.
- The birth rate in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has declined drastically over the years, with approximately 10,000 babies born in 2023 compared to 12,500 in 2013 and 23,500 in 1990.
- In an effort to adapt to demographic developments and geographical conditions, the Minister calls for rigid sectoral boundaries to no longer be maintained, emphasizing the need to align structures with needs.
- Midwives and obstetricians in the region are doing excellent work, but there is a need for action to ensure high-quality care provision in maternity and pediatric care beyond 2030.
