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German family doctors accuse government of failing on heat protection
🇩🇪 Germany /Health & Science

German family doctors accuse government of failing on heat protection

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • German family doctors accuse the federal government of failing to protect against heatwaves.
  • Doctors' association chairwoman Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth states that despite years of promises, no concrete actions have been taken to prioritize heat protection.
  • The association demands better financial support for practices to advise vulnerable patients and improve heat protection in nursing homes.

German family doctors are criticizing the federal government for its inaction on heat protection, warning that vulnerable populations are at risk during the current heatwave. Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth, chairwoman of the Family Doctors' Association, stated that "the federal government is leaving practices in the lurch regarding heat protection." She expressed frustration that years of promises to prioritize the issue have not been followed by concrete actions.

The federal government is leaving practices in the lurch regarding heat protection.

— Nicola Buhlinger-GöpfarthChairwoman of the Family Doctors' Association, criticizing the government's lack of action.

"Politics must finally live up to its responsibility and act on heat protection, instead of limiting itself to publishing one declaration of intent after another whenever it gets hot," Buhlinger-Göpfarth urged. She recalled that a comprehensive heat protection package was announced three years ago, which included compensating family practices for medical advice during heatwaves. "To date, nothing has effectively happened," she criticized, noting that the issue disappears from the political agenda once summer ends.

Politics must finally live up to its responsibility and act on heat protection, instead of limiting itself to publishing one declaration of intent after another whenever it gets hot.

— Nicola Buhlinger-GöpfarthUrging concrete government action on heat protection measures.

The association highlights the danger to the elderly and chronically ill during the current heatwave. They emphasize the need for structured consultations in family practices and nursing homes, going beyond general advice like drinking enough water. These consultations should include reviewing and adjusting medications, such as insulin, which require specific storage instructions. "This is not trivial and takes time," Buhlinger-Göpfarth explained, adding that many rely on their family doctor for this support.

To date, nothing has effectively happened.

— Nicola Buhlinger-GöpfarthCriticizing the lack of implementation of promised heat protection measures.

The German Weather Service (DWD) anticipates the peak of the current heatwave this weekend, with a new June record of 40.9 degrees Celsius measured in Saarbrücken on Friday. The doctors' association calls on the government to use this heatwave as an opportunity for concrete measures, proposing that "reasonably financed heat protection advice in practices would be the minimum." They also stressed the need to enable nursing homes to adequately protect their residents from the heat.

This is not trivial and takes time.

— Nicola Buhlinger-GöpfarthDescribing the complexity and time commitment required for heat-related medical advice.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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