Germany “insufficiently prepared” for extreme heat, medical association warns

Germany is “insufficiently prepared” for extreme heat and must take urgent steps to ensure that hospitals, care homes and doctor’s surgeries remain operational even in extreme temperatures, according to the German Medical Association. Heat protection should be made a mandatory part of crisis preparedness, and healthcare providers should be involved in developing and implementing heat protection strategies, said the group's head, Klaus Reinhardt, according to newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The country's healthcare industry associations have previously called for more money for heat protection in hospitals and nursing homes, given that most clinics do not have effective cooling systems due to lack of funding. The Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP) has also warned that hospital treatment rooms might be forced to close due to excessive temperatures in the near future. 

The intensity, frequency and duration of heatwaves are increasing as a result of climate change. Germany is experiencing more days where temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, and more nights where temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees. 

Germany has made it legally binding to draw up climate risk assessments and implement measures to better deal with increasing periods of heavy rain, heat and more frequent flooding. Recommendations put forward in 2024 by the country’s health and resilience expert council, an independent government advisory panel, included anchoring health, climate and environment in all government departments and ministries.