Mainz University Medicine: On the way to black zero by 2030!

Mainz University Medicine: On the way to black zero by 2030!

The University Medical Center Mainz, the only university hospital in Rhineland-Palatinate, sees itself in a crucial phase. Chairman of the Board Ralf Kiesslich, in office since the beginning of 2022, makes it clear: his goal is to achieve a black zero by 2030. This reports TV Middle Rhine. In recent years, those responsible have had to accept high losses, which were reduced to 96.7 million euros in 2024, which represents a pleasing decrease compared to the 114 million euros of the previous year.

Sales from medical services have increased continuously and now exceed one billion euros for the first time. The improved negotiations with health insurance companies led to higher remuneration in the outpatient sector, which gives university medicine the necessary leeway to stabilize the financial situation. Kiesslich and his team are also focusing on future-oriented programs, such as the introduction of a new interdisciplinary outpatient clinic and a central emergency room. By establishing departments, resources such as beds and operating room capacity can be used more efficiently.

New construction projects and challenges

A significant part of the strategy includes the planned construction work with an investment volume of 2.2 billion euros for the renovation of the university clinic. The construction of a second clinic location in the Draiser Depression near ZDF is also being examined. Particular attention is paid to the climatic impairments and air circulation in Mainz. In order to advance the project, the University Medical Center is in close cooperation with the city of Mainz, with the city council ultimately making the decisions.

However, there is also criticism of the plans, especially from BUND. The environmental association criticizes the construction of a large central building and a logistics center in a local recreation area as ecologically questionable. Despite these objections, Kiesslich makes it clear that achieving black zero by 2030 is a realistic objective, also with regard to the planned measures.

Financing models in university medicine

An important aspect of the discussion is the financing of university medicine in general. University hospitals are particularly burdened by undesirable developments in hospital financing. While they act as supramaximum providers, they face the problem of not being able to specialize in lucrative areas. Remuneration for the services provided is often based on the same criteria as in other hospitals, which the university hospitals do not fully cover Medical Journal shows.

The decline in investment funds endangers infrastructure and medical progress. In view of the increasing number of patients and the complexity of the cases, financing that is adapted to the specific burdens on university medicine is necessary. Proposals for system surcharges or references to international models, such as those from California or the Netherlands, are being discussed in order to overcome the challenges.

How the Mainz University Medical Center will fare in these most turbulent times remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the course has been set and the path to black zero is an ambitious but necessary goal.