International medical practice in Dresden closes

The international medical practice specializing in migrants in Dresden will close by the end of the year. This is due to rising costs and falling demand, according to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony (KV). The demand for treatment could be covered by the existing medical practices in the city. The situation is different in Chemnitz: the international practice there is to be continued under the KV's own management.

The special practices were reportedly set up in response to the large influx of refugees from 2015. An agreement was concluded with the state and the cities of Dresden and Chemnitz. However, the funding was no longer sufficient to cover rising personnel and material costs, it said. Translators are also available in the surgeries.

Demand for international practices has fallen

The demand has also fallen. While a total of 16,000 patients were treated in Dresden in 2016, this figure had fallen to just 10,300 in 2023. At the same time, the proportion of patients coming from first admissions or municipal facilities has fallen sharply, according to KV Sachsen. The majority of patients now have statutory health insurance.

"With our network of registered doctors, we will continue to guarantee good medical care for patients with a migration background in the future," emphasized Sylvia Krug, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of Directors. "Outside the cities of Dresden and Chemnitz, this is already working very well today."