Entrance to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) / image alliance, Philipp Znidar
Berlin The Federal Cabinet supports the division of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Today it approved the previous plans of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) for a new Federal Institute for Prevention and Education in Medicine (BIPAM) was approved without changes, despite strong criticism from specialist circles.
The new law to strengthen public health provides for a BIPAM as the new highest federal authority. This is what the former Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) replacement. The transfer of 334 employees from BZgA to BIPAM is planned.
At the same time, Department 2 for Epidemiology and Health Surveillance, which focuses on non-communicable diseases, will be removed from the RKI and also added to BIPAM. In future, BIPAM would be responsible for federal health reporting, including health monitoring. 108 RKI employees will be transferred to BIPAM.
There was strong criticism of the project in advance. The RKI Advisory Board for Health Monitoring and Health Reporting is not convinced of the project. An expert hearing in the Bundestag also had a lot of brought a headwind. Essentially, experts assume that the split will lead to a weakening of the RKI.
The minister is not very impressed by this. With BIPAM we promote the exchange of science, policy and practice and ultimately strengthen prevention among the population, said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). This will help to prevent chronic diseases and their costly treatments.
He emphasized to the press today that we currently have a very good facility in the prevention structure, the Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases. However, there is also a need for preventive work, communication, modeling and the use of artificial intelligence in the area of non-communicable diseases.
According to the federal government’s plans, the new BIPAM aims to collect and analyze data on the health status of the population, the effects of climate and environment on health and health behaviors, also taking into account the costs of the health system.
Basis for political decisions
These findings should serve as a basis for political and strategic decision-making. BIPAM should work closely with the RKI. The task of the new federal authority based in Cologne should also be to improve coordination between the federal level and the health authorities.
In addition, BIPAM aims to provide the population with understandable information on health risks, options and prevention measures in the event of a health crisis. It should also develop and support the implementation of behavioral and behavioral prevention measures, including prevention and early detection of diseases.
Reducing risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and lack of exercise is an important task, according to BMG. This would address dangerous diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and mental health. BIPAM also addresses issues such as health equity and mental health.
Even if there are now voices that completely question the plan, it is still clear to me: things cannot continue as they are, commented Johannes Wagner (Greens), member of the Health Committee, on the cabinet’s decision. The pandemic has highlighted shortcomings in public health that have clearly not yet been remedied and that need to be addressed.
If we’ve learned anything, it’s that it’s critically important for evidence-based health policy to be able to gather data and evaluate it quickly and in a scientifically sound way. This also helps local health authorities in their work, Wagner said. And it’s at least as important to communicate the results well.
Great need to update
We have a lot of catching up to do and that cannot be denied. The BZgA has done important work in this area over the past decades. This should be continued, developed and adapted to the latest standards of communication science at the new federal institute, he said.
There has been renewed criticism of the medical profession today. From our point of view, it is completely incomprehensible that Mr. Lauterbach, contrary to all recommendations of professional societies, wants to destroy an internationally renowned health research institute that has grown together over the past 30 years and combines expertise in communicable and non-communicable diseases, said Karen Spannenkrebs, co-chair of the Association of Democratic Doctors. © may/bee/nfs/aerzteblatt.de