Session 7

#healsy20 - Lessons learnt from COVID-19

Resilient Health Systems 2020

Organised by the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) as part of Germany´s Presidency of the EU Council

In partnership with the Digital Congress of the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) on 1 October 2020 as part of Germany´s Presidency of the EU Council, EHFG is proud to present a stream from the Digital Congress within the EHFG 2020 programme.

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing health systems to procure ongoing efforts in order to keep the disease under control. In comparison, Germany is considered one of the countries that have come through the crisis fairly well. Hospitals were prevented from overcrowding by the major contribution from ambulatory doctors: 6 out of 7 patients were treated in ambulatory surgeries run by independent freelance doctors. However, many questions regarding the pandemic are left unanswered: What lessons can be drawn from  first experiences? Which concepts or strategies have proven effective so far? Have the health systems revealed weaknesses?

The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic also lies in the focus of Germany´s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Following the motto “Together for Europe´s recovery" enormous challenges have to be faced. Germany has announced that it will do everything in its power during its Presidency to master this task in a forward-looking manner and to foster Europe´s resilience, be it with coordinated aid deliveries of medical goods, mutual support in the treatment of patients or the maintenance and securing of supply chains. What could this level of coordination and cooperation look like? Which steps are necessary at the national and the European level? These questions will be at the core of this panel.

Welcome by:
Petra Reis-Berkowicz, Chair, KBV Representative Assembly
Clemens Martin Auer, President, European Health Forum Gastein

Keynote:
Reinhard Busse, Professor and Head of the Department of Health Care Management, Berlin University of Technology

Panellists:
Jens Spahn, German Federal Minister of Health
Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the Board, German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians
Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for Europe, World Health Organization
Doris Pfeiffer, Chairwoman, National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds

Moderated by Tanja Samrotzki, Freelance Journalist

Organisers