Too few doctors – urgent also in childcare

The 13th status report of the Austrian League for Child and Youth Health, or Kinderliga for short, paints a bleak picture. For our youngest, about a quarter of the total population, there is a lack of therapy places, affordable doctors and equal opportunities. Because in Austria, a child can wait up to four months (see graph below) for a necessary therapy place. At the same time, there is a strong advance in the private sector.

In Austria, less than 300 pediatricians work with health insurance – they are completely absent in 15 political districts. But also in the field of occupational therapy and speech therapy, there are devastating circumstances, where waiting times are up to seven months.

Urgent action is needed
Director Caroline Culen draws a sad conclusion and warns of serious consequences: every fourth child is threatened by poverty and 25 percent have limited development opportunities. Urgent action is needed.

Own Ministry of Children?
Pioneers from Australia and Canada lead the way. It needs its own ministry for children, more money for care and investments in sustainable solutions. So there must be “mental health on e-card” to avoid long waiting times and high costs. Psychosocial offers should also be made possible in schools or on social media, explains Hedwig Wölfl from the children’s association and emphasizes the importance of investing in the health of children and young people.

Her call: “Every euro invested in early aid is worth sixteen times as much. Because every child without a connection costs the state two million euros.”