Buyback of the Gießen-Marburg University Hospital: Left demands new perspectives!

Buyback of the Gießen-Marburg University Hospital: Left demands new perspectives!

In a current debate about the Gießen-Marburg University Hospital, the Left is putting pressure on the state government. There are calls for the university hospital to be bought back into state hands because financial support for teaching and research is perceived to be inadequate. Desiree Becker, the state chairwoman of the Left, sees the buyback as a necessity in order to secure the clinic's sustainable future. This demand finds support among the 65 clinic directors who wrote an open letter to the state government and called for better financial conditions, such as Giessen General reported.

In their letter, the clinic directors emphasize that the Frankfurt University Hospital receives significantly better financial treatment compared to Giessen-Marburg. Becker describes the sale of the university clinic to the Rhön Group around 20 years ago as a “big mistake”. This decision, which has now led to a takeover by Asklepios, has not only led to a deterioration in working conditions, but has also put workers between the state and private companies in a precarious position.

Unique structure for excellent results

The University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg (UKGM) is a special hospital in Germany: It is the only university hospital that is almost entirely privately owned. This model sometimes finds models abroad, such as at the University of Cambridge in England. The mix of public research and private healthcare has proven to be particularly successful, which now also benefits patients.

RHÖN-KLINIKUM AG has reported UKGM website, created the conditions for the UKGM to develop further in academic medicine. The short decision-making processes and a clear distribution of tasks enable the clinic to react quickly and efficiently to challenges. This is also reflected in the positive results achieved for patients. Responsibility for research and teaching lies with the departments at the universities of Gießen and Marburg, under a detailed contract that regulates this cooperation.

A challenge for the future

In view of the current demands, the Left sees itself as taking a clear line: responsibility for financing teaching and research lies with the state, and buying back the clinic is a necessary measure to ensure and improve the quality of the health system. It remains to be seen whether these demands will be heard. What is clear, however, is that the pressure on decision-makers has increased elevenfold and citizens will be keeping an eye on developments.

In the discussion about the future direction of the UKGM, it is also clear that governments are required to find sustainable solutions that address both health care and academic training. An exciting time for the Gießen-Marburg University Hospital and everyone associated with it.

It will become clear in the coming weeks whether the Greens, the SPD or even the FDP in the state government will respond to these demands. One thing is certain: There is something in the air here, and it will be exciting to see how the situation around the university clinic develops further.