Crisis alarm in German clinics: billions needed for security!

Crisis alarm in German clinics: billions needed for security!

In recent weeks, the German Hospital Association has brought the alarming financial situation of many clinics in Germany into the public eye. It is becoming increasingly clear that German hospitals need to prepare for various crisis scenarios. A comprehensive study entitled “Investment requirements to create the resilience of German hospitals” sheds light on this topic in detail. The results of the study show that there is a significant need for action to ensure the safety of patients and the functionality of the clinics. BR.de reports that the study considers three main scenarios: cyberattacks, NATO alliance cases and defense cases.

An important point of the study is the reality of cyberattacks. In 2023, the Frankfurt University Hospital was affected by such an attack, which paralyzed the administration for several months. It is estimated that hospitals would need to invest around 2.7 billion euros to protect themselves against such attacks. This shows how serious the threat situation now is.

Scenarios and investment needs

In the event of an attack on a NATO country, clinics in Germany must be able to care for up to 1,000 wounded people every day. To overcome this challenge, around 4.9 billion euros would be needed. Even more worrying is the scenario of a defense case, in which the investment amount rises to around 14.7 billion euros. These funds would be necessary, among other things, to improve the structural safety of the houses, such as converting underground parking garages that could be used for patient care.

However, the legal requirements for preparing for military threats are not clear. The shortage of staff is identified as the biggest challenge. The clinics do not have enough staff trained to deal with such crisis situations. A criterion that has not received enough attention in recent years. In addition, many hospitals are hardly prepared for access controls. There are operational plans for civil disasters, but not for military threats.

Improvements and exercises

Some improvements have already been implemented since the Corona pandemic. Clinics have analyzed weak points and increased storage capacity for important medications. The federal government has also promised investments in hospital infrastructure. At the same time, some clinics are already trying to deal with an emergency. A large-scale exercise took place at the LMU Clinic in Munich to test the reaction to a “biological special situation”. Such exercises are crucial so that staff are well prepared in the event of an emergency.

In a completely different context, but no less important, is the question of friendship. Human cohesion not only helps us in difficult times, but also enriches our everyday lives. A friend who listens patiently and offers support is worth their weight in gold. As in a poetic one Text about friendship As described, friends bring joy and help overcome negative memories. This support is crucial, especially in times of crisis, because it motivates and gives strength.

In today's fast-paced world, not only a well-prepared hospital infrastructure is necessary, but also a strong community of friends and family. And so we can only hope that both our clinics and our social environment are strong and resilient.