Neunkirchen, 21.04.2026
The CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen welcome the presented plans for the further development of the Marienhausklinikum Kohlhof. The proposed measures send an important signal for securing medical care in Neunkirchen and eastern Saarland – however, from their perspective, they represent only a partial success.
Particularly appreciated are the strengthening of pediatric and adolescent medicine, the preservation of obstetrics and gynecology, the establishment of an additional pediatrician, as well as the expansion of outpatient structures, such as through a Medical Care Center (MVZ). The planned establishment of a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and the further development of the Social Pediatric Center (SPZ) are also important steps.
It is also welcomed that outpatient surgical services for adult patients will continue to be available at the Kohlhof location.
“The combination of pediatric and women's medicine as well as local outpatient services is of great importance to the population,” said the CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen.
Responsibility for Employees
With great seriousness, the CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen view the impact on the employees. Around 130 positions are affected by the restructuring.
„For us it is clear: there needs to be an adequate and fair solution for every single employee. The people who have supported this location for years must not be left alone now.“
Changes are painful – but necessary
"We can understand that these changes are painful for many affected. At the same time, we hope that this concept has found a lasting and viable solution that secures the Kohlhof location in the long term and makes it future-proof."
Critical issues remain
Despite the positive development, the CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen see significant points of criticism:
The discontinuation of the breast center is incomprehensible – especially against the backdrop of rising breast cancer cases.
The planned relocation of inpatient internal medicine and surgical services to St. Wendel is also viewed critically.
"These relocations lead to longer distances for patients and call local healthcare provision into question."
It is also pointed out that the implementation is to take place as early as January 1, 2027, and is therefore under considerable time pressure.
Shown clear stance early on
The CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen remind that they have clearly opposed any weakening of the location from the very beginning – both in the city council and in the district council.
They are all the more critical of the current portrayal by some SPD representatives:
“It is remarkable how some SPD politicians reinterpret their own statements with such flexibility afterwards.”
In November, Health Minister Magnus Jung had emphasized that a maternity clinic in St. Wendel was indispensable for travel time reasons – today, this is no longer mentioned.
At that time, Thomas Baldauf also mentioned that "toads would have to be swallowed" without explicitly demanding the preservation of the Kohlhof.
Sven Kley supported proposals that included the closure of the location and thanked those responsible for their respective concepts.
Jörg Aumann also backed the corresponding considerations.
"Given this background, the attempt to present the development as an individual success is incomprehensible."
Thanks to the citizens' initiative
A special thank you goes to the cross-party citizens' initiative "The Heart of Kohlhof Stays Here!", which has impressively demonstrated how important the preservation of the clinic is for the people in the region with over 10,000 signatures collected.
Particularly highlighted are the initiators Sabrina Math – deputy local mayor of Furpach-Kohlhof-Ludwigsthal and member of the Neunkirchen city council (CDU) – and Teresa Sciarrotta, who have spearheaded the initiative.
„This commitment was a decisive factor in bringing about a change in mindset. The result shows: the effort for democracy is worth it – even if we have not yet reached the goal.”
Conclusion
The CDU city council faction and the CDU city association Neunkirchen regard the current development as an important step in the right direction.
"Now it is crucial that the measures are implemented consistently and that Kohlhof is permanently secured as a strong and future-proof healthcare location."
