Because of the corona situation, the health ministers discussed precautions for autumn and winter. There should no longer be citizen tests for everyone. There is criticism for that.
In autumn, the corona situation in Germany threatens to become critical again. That is why the federal and state health ministers have already discussed precautions for autumn and winter. A heavy wave must be expected, said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). After the two-day deliberations in Magdeburg, there is still no finalized concept for the controversial issue of continuing to offer free citizen tests. However, Lauterbach announced a package that he still wanted to coordinate with Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
Lauterbach emphasized that from his point of view, citizen tests were “absolutely necessary” even beyond the previous regulation until the end of June. That is why the Ministry of Health had previously announced that it would continue to finance the free tests. At least in part: according to a specification of the Budget Committee of the Bundestag, the federal states must also participate in the financing in the future. At the same time, however, the minister made it clear that tests without cause would be restricted.
Lauterbach said on Deutschlandfunk that the tests should in future be concentrated on the areas “where they are most useful.” This applies to people who go to hospitals or nursing homes, people suspected of being infected or already showing symptoms of illness, but also “those who go to large events where many people can become infected”. Lauterbach justified this with the high costs of at times one billion euros per month.
Associations fear health risks from limited citizen tests
On the other hand, the Professional Association of Doctors for Microbiology, Virology and Infection Epidemiology and the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine criticized the plans as “unmedical and unethical”. According to a press release, the fact that in future only certain groups of people should receive a citizen test counteracts “the correct assessment of the minister that human lives could be saved if antiviral drugs were used in good time”.
The associations are particularly concerned about the plan that in future only symptomatic people should receive a citizen test. “As medical specialists, we can only warn against pursuing this strategy,” says Dr. Daniela Huzly, Federal President of the Professional Association of Physicians for Microbiology, Virology and Infection Epidemiology eV “Symptomatic people belong exclusively in the care of qualified doctors. Anything else would be poor patient care and must be made clear to the public!”
The Accredited Laboratories in Medicine are of the opinion that non-physician-run test centers should not be contact points for people with symptoms. The association fears that this could delay the use of effective drugs against the corona virus. Whether a patient should take appropriate medication depends on individual risk factors. “So who benefits from it, a doctor must determine immediately.” Otherwise, the strategy of the health ministers would endanger lives that are actually supposed to be saved.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
