Heart catheter center rejected: Braunau fights for better care!

Heart catheter center rejected: Braunau fights for better care!

The decision of the state of Upper Austria not to approve the planned cardiac catheter center at St. Josef Spital in Braunau, is met with great resentment in the region. Instead, the focus should be on the expansion of existing centers in the central room. This procedure has triggered disappointment among many citizens: inside and local political representatives. Around 13,000 signatures were collected to protest this decision and further signatures are obtained every day. In an open letter to the governor of Christine Haberlander, the undersupply of more than 110,000 inhabitants is pointed out, there are even around 218,000 people in the entire Innviertel.

The comparisons with other regions make the situation particularly clear. While Burgenland has two cardiac catheter locations with over 300,000 inhabitants, the Innviertel has no one. This discrepancy raises questions, especially when you consider that cardiac catheters are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. The course of the discussion is increased by the criticism of the presentation that the responsibility for the lack of approval was only at the Braunau Hospital, since only a half -day catheter was sought. This argument is obtained in many places.

challenges in emergency care

In addition, the planned operation of a emergency helicopter in Suben, which is to be available around the clock from 2026, will be criticized as inadequate. The reliability of this system is questionable, especially if several emergencies or difficult weather conditions should occur. Former Vice Mayor Josef Schmidlechner indicated that many citizens find the trips to Linz for medical examinations as "inhumane". Here, the long journey in rural regions will show a problem, as well as general discussions about health services and access to medical care.

The current situation makes it clear how important a comprehensive and high -quality health care is, regardless of the place of residence. As the Federal Center for Political Education states, health care facilities are often rare in rural areas. Long travel routes and the high burden of illness due to older population make the need for innovative concepts to improve care in order to close existing gaps.

Political reactions and the future outlook

The political reactions are not long in coming: the Greens and the SPÖ are calling for a check of the location choice, while SPÖ politicians underline the urgency of a cardiac catheter in Braunau for medical care in the Innviertel. It is pointed out that there is no coronary angiography system in Braunau due to the lack of approval. Patients are forced to travel to Linz, Wels or Salzburg for treatments.

Primar Clemens Steinwender points out that 24-hour supply requires at least six interventional cardiologists, which the Braunau hospital cannot currently afford. The state of Upper Austria plans to increase existing institutions in Linz, Wels and at the Kepler University Clinic with new devices, invests around ten million euros. These measures are to be put into operation in the early 2030s.

The reality of care in the Innviertel remains tense and is further put to the test through the current developments. One thing is clear: On -site people expect solutions that ensure their health care and bridge the discriminatory differences in health care between the city and the country.