Southern Saxony-Anhalt is particularly affected by demographic change. In the region, more elderly people are cared for on an outpatient basis than the national average. However, demography also offers an opportunity for the region and the entire federal state if it is possible to meet the challenges with tailor-made innovations. To this end, carers must be more strongly activated as innovative designers of health care, because the demand for innovative care and health solutions is growing.
The Translational Region for Digitised Health Care (TDG) in Saxony-Anhalt has emerged in recent years from an alliance of more than 100 players from science, business, politics and society. That the efforts are worthwhile became clear yesterday evening at the presentation of the new TDG trend report in the state representation in Berlin. In the presence of Science Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann and State Secretary Wolfgang Beck, innovative projects in the future field of health and care from the Central German region were presented, which also serve as role models for the whole of Germany and Europe.
Digital solutions such as technological assistance systems, tele-care and artificial intelligence can make a significant contribution to ensuring that more elderly people are cared for at home in the countryside or in the city in the neighbourhood. Used correctly, digital solutions and applications can also relieve the burden on caring professionals, the vast majority of whom are women.
Prof. Dr Armin Willingmann, Minister for Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasises the close cooperation between science and business as a prerequisite for progress, innovation and prosperity: "Times of change mean new opportunities, especially for start-ups. The founders and partners of TDG have seized the opportunity and set up a broad and innovative ecosystem. I share the optimism of the alliance: In the decade ahead, additional, sustainable employment impulses in science and business can be expected in the TDG region."
For Wolfgang Beck, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Equality of Saxony-Anhalt, the Corona pandemic has dramatically shown how systemically relevant carers are in our country: "This report shows how relevant the care sector can be for the future. The potential is there, as are pilot projects and pioneers. By linking care and digital care, the TDG Alliance is pursuing a common goal that will become increasingly important for the future: Nursing professionals working interprofessionally with other health professions in teams."
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Gekle, Dean of the Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg emphasises: "This TDG trend report clearly shows the potential for scientific, economic and especially social innovations for the region, but also for Germany as a science location. We don't want to rest on our laurels, however, but see the need to catch up in the area of digital health care in Germany and the burning questions of regional development prospects in the structural change of the Central German Mining District region, which has been intensified by the coal phase-out."
For TDG project manager Prof. Dr. Patrick Jahn, Head of AG-Care Research, University Medicine Halle (Saale), the region is becoming a pioneer for many regions in Europe: "For the first time, an interdisciplinary competence network Made in Germany is being created along the entire care and value chain in southern Saxony-Anhalt. This will make the location a driver for digital health and an engine for innovations and start-ups in digitised care and healthcare far beyond the region."