El Consejo de Trabajadores da la voz de alarma Choque de ahorro en el AKH: amenaza con fallar 5.000 operaciones

The Austrian government reached an agreement over the weekend regarding the university budget for the period spanning 2028 to 2030, settling on a total allocation of approximately 16 billion euros. This decision has triggered immediate warnings from medical leaders at Vienna’s General Hospital, who describe the plan as a catastrophe for public health. Shahrokh Shariat, head of urology and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the hospital, stated in an interview that the measures constitute a disaster for the population. He argued that while officials claim there are no nominal cuts, the reality involves significant reductions once inflation is accounted for. Shariat explained that roughly one billion euros had effectively disappeared from the calculations. He noted that budgets previously separate from the university framework, such as funds for inter-university projects and specific doctor salaries, were folded into this new structure. With the Institute for Economic Research forecasting inflation of about ten percent over the next three years, he calculated that the real value of the budget would shrink by ten to fifteen percent. According to his estimates, this financial squeeze could force the departure of around 170 doctors at the hospital alone. Markus Müller, the rector of the Medical University of Vienna, which employs the hospital’s entire medical staff, confirmed these concerns. He warned that the budget cut equates to a reduction of roughly 150 physician positions. The university currently supports between 1,600 and 1,700 doctors through its personnel budget. Müller indicated that if the initial draft budget had been adopted, savings of up to 200 doctors might have been required. Under the final agreement, the institution faces the prospect of dismissing or failing to replace a similar number of specialists. Stefan Konrad, chairman of the works council for scientific staff at the Medical University, emphasized the operational impact of these losses. He stated that a ten percent cut translates directly to ten percent fewer doctors, amounting to 150 to 170 vacant posts. Konrad warned that this reduction would trigger a domino effect throughout the healthcare system. Since the hospital performs 50,000 operations annually, a loss of surgical capacity could result in 5,000 fewer procedures per year. This deficit would extend beyond surgeons to include pre-operative areas such as anesthesia. Konrad noted that surrounding hospitals, already operating with limited resources, would struggle to absorb the displaced patient load. He described the situation as a drama where advanced equipment exists but lacks the necessary personnel to operate it. The works council had previously sent an open letter to Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner and Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, both members of the Social Democratic Party, detailing the severe consequences for patient care. They highlighted that medical staff are already working at their limits with long shifts and on-call duties. The hospital handles approximately one-third of medical care in the greater Vienna area. Its emergency department records more than 1.2 million visits each year. Maintaining 24-hour operations, night shifts, and weekend services poses a growing challenge as funding recedes. Konrad also pointed to risks for medical education, noting that 800 new students begin training at the university annually. Recent investments, including two new research stations opened in early October, face uncertainty because the institution may lack the staff to utilize them. Protests against the austerity package are intensifying. The Austrian Student Union has called for a major demonstration in Vienna on October 22 under the slogan "Red Alert: Save Our Universities." Universities originally requested 18 billion euros just to offset inflation, making the approved 16 billion sum a substantial shortfall. Several institutions have already implemented hiring freezes due to fears over the budget's implications. Researchers are reportedly leaving or declining offers, citing the inability to meet financial commitments. European Union funding grants require co-financing by universities, a burden that becomes difficult to bear under reduced budgets. Shariat expressed frustration that researchers are moving elsewhere or refusing to arrive in Austria. He stated that many rejection letters have already been issued because candidates know the budget cannot be sustained. He urged politicians to view the budget with fairness and maintain investment in education and training, arguing this is essential for the country’s future competitiveness. Without adequate funding, complex patient care centers in Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck will see services diminish. Waiting times for treatments and surgeries will inevitably increase. The medical community views this not merely as a fiscal adjustment but as a systemic threat to the quality and availability of healthcare for the general public. The atmosphere within the hospital is described as tense uncertainty, with staff questioning how work plans will adapt to the impending resource constraints.