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Citizen Participation on Health Issues: Continuation in Spring

A citizen participation process in the health sector, which started in October, is set to continue in the spring. The goal is to finalize a draft strategy to strengthen patient and public participation by summer 2026, according to the Ministry of Health.

Health State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) spoke of a "central component of modern healthcare."

The State Secretary explained that the participation of patients and citizens is "no longer a 'nice-to-have'." "We want decisions to be made with the involvement and participation of the public - not over their heads."

Citizen Participation Process in the Health Sector: Around 6,000 People Involved

According to the Ministry of Health, the process was initiated by the target control partners (federal government, states, and social insurance), and 6,000 people were randomly selected to participate. Of these, 62 percent are women, 38 percent men, and people over 60 years old participated less frequently than younger individuals, it was reported.

Following an initial workshop last October, the next working sessions will take place until March 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. The final event is planned for the end of the first half of 2026, after which the results will be processed. A first draft for further coordination is expected in the fall, and the results will then be prepared for the federal target control committee.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.

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