/dpa
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Berlin – In view of climate change, the Catholic Hospital Association of Germany (KKVD) called for more state funds for investments in hospitals. When it comes to climate and heat protection, politicians must support the clinics with targeted funding programs, said KKVD Managing Director Bernadette Rümmelin.
The clinics wanted to make their contribution to climate neutrality. Some hospitals are already investing in new windows, external blinds or insulated facades, provided there is financial leeway.
According to Rümmelin, however, the federal states are not sufficiently meeting their obligation to provide investment funds for the clinics. “In 2020, the ongoing investment needs of hospitals nationwide was six billion euros,” said Rümmelin. “However, the federal states only provided half of this.”
Comprehensive air conditioning in the hospitals makes sense, according to the KKVD managing director. Operating theaters and intensive care units in particular are currently equipped with air conditioning. Classic air conditioning systems are only suitable to a limited extent for clinics, due to special hygiene requirements and follow-up costs for maintenance and energy. Therefore, innovative techniques for room cooling are needed.
With a view to a possible current heat wave, Rümmelin said that the teams in the clinics made sure that the patients had enough drinks and that the rooms were closed and darkened during the day. “If necessary, cold packs are used,” says Rümmelin.
She pointed out the current heavy burden on hospitals. More corona sufferers would be admitted again, and there would also be high staff shortages due to the corona summer wave. Experience has also shown that more people come to the emergency room during a heat wave, for example with heat stroke or cardiovascular problems.
Rümmelin emphasized that working in extreme heat is a particular challenge, especially for employees who care for corona patients in heavy protective equipment.
In Germany, around nine million people are currently particularly at risk from heat waves. For these people, but also for the entire population, more heat protection measures must be taken, experts demanded yesterday at a press conference of the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG). © kna/cmk/aerzteblatt.de
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