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Operation theater in a hospital in Cologne
Image: Irene Anastassopoulou/DWImage: Irene Anastassopoulou/DW

Health care in Germany

Germany's health care system is creaking as medical professionals are insufficient for an aging population.

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News

December 5, 2024

Germany: Hospital worker shot dead with a crossbow

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Dr. Alaa Aldarf, dressed in blue doctor's scrubs, speaks to DW. Medical equipment is seen in the background.

Syrian doctors essential for German health care system

Syrian doctors essential for German health care system

After the fall of the Assad regime, the German government wants Syrian doctors like Alaa Aldarf to stay.
ConflictsDecember 17, 202402:46 min
An 2014 archive image of surgeons performing intervertebral disc surgery on the lumbar spine

Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector

Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector

Germany is forging ahead with a plan to slash the number of hospitals and digitalize bureaucracy.
HealthNovember 22, 2024
DW Sendung Shift | Robot Cook 

A robot chef for hospital staff

A robot chef for hospital staff

A German startup developed a kitchen robot that prepares fresh meals at a university hospital.
TechnologyNovember 15, 202401:26 min
German doctor talking to a patient

Germany's health care system has a language problem

Germany's health care system has a language problem

Germany is a multilingual society, but access to health care is often frustrating for people who don't speak German.
SocietyNovember 3, 2024
A view of Dr. Harry Otieno in his office, busy with paperwork

Germany-Kenya migration deal prompts brain drain fears

Germany-Kenya migration deal prompts brain drain fears

'As a doctor, you also have to take care of yourself': Despite misgivings, Harry Otieno considers going abroad to work.
PoliticsSeptember 13, 202403:36 min
DW Fokus Europa | Deutschland Pflegekräfte

How Rostock recruits foreign health care staff to Germany

How Rostock recruits foreign health care staff to Germany

The University of Rostock is addressing health care staffing gaps by helping skilled foreigners settle in Germany.
MigrationSeptember 1, 202405:55 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Ukrainian doctors receive training in Germany

Germany’s bureaucracy blocks Ukrainian, Syrian doctors

Thousands of doctors from Ukraine and Syria who came to Germany as refugees are struggling to get licensed to work.
SocietyAugust 29, 2024
Jens Spahn removing his FFP2 mask at a press conference in March 2021

COVID-19: German gov't suffers defeat in 'face mask scandal'

Germany tried to backtrack on a deal to pay high prices for masks, but a court has ruled it will have to foot the bill.
PoliticsJuly 23, 2024
An ambulance rushing through the busy streets of Düsseldorf

Germany's ailing emergency health care service needs revamp

In emergencies, the chances of survival in Germany vary greatly across the country — despite high health expenditures.
HealthJuly 21, 2024
A nurse holds a baby and there are two other people and a small child in the background

German-Brazilian spat on poaching of highly qualified nurses

Brazil is not impressed by Germany's continued recruitment of skilled health care workers until late 2023.
HealthMay 30, 2024
A young doctor stands beside an elderly patient in the hallway of a hospital.

How are foreign doctors faring in Germany?

Germany is welcoming an increasing number of foreign doctors. But what challenges and opportunities await them?
SocietyApril 27, 2024
A woman walking down the steps of the entrance to a hospital

Filipino nurses in Germany struggle with the language

Filipino nurses are in high demand in Germany, but struggles learning German make it harder for them to feel at home.
SocietyApril 25, 2024
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