Minister of Health Johannes Rauch (Greens) sees a “competitive disadvantage” in recruiting nursing staff from abroad. “Because in Austria they have been pretending that everything that comes from outside is bad for fifteen years. We are not attractive as an immigration country.’ If there is someone walking around, like FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who says he wants to build a fortress in Austria, then you have to tell people: ‘With adequate care, that will no longer be possible. take place in this fort,” said the minister.
When asked if this would be called qualified immigration, Rauch responded in the krone.tv interview with Jana Pasching: “That’s the point. But then I can’t build a fort. Then I have to welcome people, offer family reunification and offer good jobs.” Otherwise the race with the other European countries is a losing game.
Babler should read up on health care reform
SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, who promised everyone in Austria an appointment with a doctor during the election campaign, advises Rauch to read through the health care reform. This is a promise that the Minister of Health has already made and is now being implemented. “There is a lot of money in the system. The contracts are now running. And the SPÖ also voted here.”
Primary care centers to help
The expansion of primary care centers (PV) has received a huge boost, Rauch reports. “In the summer of last year we removed obstacles, including the medical association’s veto. “Since then, thirty additional applications have been received, five of which are for children’s PVs.” A major advantage is not only the merger of several doctors with other professional groups, but also longer opening hours and regulated holiday coverage. “That means that the practice will not remain closed.”
Vaccine skepticism makes ministers ‘very concerned’
The Minister of Health is particularly concerned about the subject of vaccination and the associated skepticism in Austria. “If you have the impression that a vaccination may be dangerous or harmful, please seek advice from your doctor,” Rauch said, addressing the audience. The minister is aware of the theories that are circulating because he is confronted with them. He said: “It concerns me greatly because there is a level of disinformation being spread that is really dangerous.”
“Disputes harm us”
Mistakes have certainly been made during the pandemic. “When I took office two years ago, the vaccination requirement already existed with the restriction that a check had to take place every three months. I got rid of it relatively quickly, because I didn’t think we needed it epidemiologically. And it harms us if every three months we have a huge discussion about whether mandatory vaccination is good or not. That’s why we eliminated it.”
Further information, such as the status of the vacancies for doctors in the statutory health insurance that are currently being filled, whether we already know where the missing tranches of the missing drug Paxlovid have gone and many other details about the healthcare reform can be seen in the video above .
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
