"The Public Health Service (ÖGD) plays a central role in the German healthcare system. During the pandemic, the health authorities have impressively demonstrated their capabilities. Nevertheless, it has become clear that they need to be strengthened in the long term and better prepared for future challenges. The federal government has taken measures to address this need," emphasized the minister.
The district employees Dr. Anne-Michaela Moritz, pediatrician in the Child and Youth Health Service of the Health Department, and Rosina Massow, IT staff member, attended the meeting and answered the minister's questions regarding the Public Health Service Pact in terms of traditional and new tasks of a health department, personnel growth, central digitization measures, as well as changed future-proof structures of the public health service.
The Child and Youth Health Service (KJGD), as part of the public health service (ÖGD), monitors the health development of children and adolescents from birth to 18 years of age. The doctors in the KJGD conduct examinations and provide supportive advice, do not provide therapeutic treatment, and are integrated into a municipality's medical infrastructure alongside other sectors such as children's hospitals and pediatric practices.
Among the main tasks is, among other things, the comprehensive medical school entry examination for all children starting school for the first time. The KJGD is also involved in infection and vaccination protection as well as in health promotion and health reporting. With the Early Help system, the KJGD is also a point of contact for pregnant women and families with children from zero to three years old.
"In recent years, chronic illnesses as well as psychological behavioral issues among children and adolescents with special support needs, especially in everyday school life, have increased. School health professionals could, for example, meet the increased demand for care and counseling with medical and health-related expertise," explained Dr. Anne-Michaela Moritz.
"Changes and increased demands are on the agenda in the pediatric and adolescent medical field, where enhanced supportive engagement is necessary, which can only be satisfactorily provided through the expansion of personnel resources. Therefore, I am very grateful to the federal and state governments that we can better position ourselves with the available financial means and that the district is at least financially relieved in these areas," said District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo, adding: "The public health service faces further complex challenges. For a successful digital transformation, the collaboration between humans and technology plays a crucial role."
Therefore, the district administrator made his IT employee Rosina Massow available to chair the working group on Digital Development in the Saarland public health service. The goal of the inter-municipal cooperation is the development of sustainable digital solutions that meet both the requirements and needs of the employees as well as the needs of the citizens through appealing digital offerings.
