In the new year, the Bavarian Ministry of Health is supporting municipalities that have projects to improve medical care close to home. As the ministry announced on Monday, the funding program would provide up to 150,000 euros per municipality. Among other things, measures to establish municipal medical care centers (MVZ) would be supported.
The establishment of networked care facilities, such as team practices, could also be promoted, as could image campaigns and marketing activities to attract doctors in rural areas. To provide high-quality medical care, more young doctors are needed who are willing to work as doctors in rural areas, said Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU).
According to the minister, team practices are attractive for young doctors because they make flexible working possible. The doctors employed there also do not have to make large investments or take any economic risks. “If municipalities get involved in setting up MVZs, we also create a counterweight to investor-supported MVZs, because there is a risk of dependence on just one or a few service providers,” said Gerlach.
In recent years, the Free State has invested around 80 million euros to attract doctors to work in rural regions.