A new report from the Stiftung Kindergesundheit (Children’s Health Foundation), released Tuesday alongside the German Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ), has issued a stark critique of Germany’s adherence to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child within the nation’s healthcare system. The “Children’s Health Report 2025” highlights a significant disconnect between legal commitment and practical implementation, raising serious concerns about the future of pediatric care.
The report, backed by a Forsa survey, reveals a troubling reality: nearly one-third (30%) of young patients feel their voices are not heard during medical appointments, despite over half (55%) actively desiring greater involvement in their treatment decisions. Dr. Berthold Koletzko, a leading pediatrician and board member of the Stiftung Kindergesundheit, emphasized that meaningful participation is not a luxury but a foundational requirement for equitable and effective healthcare provision. “Dismissing the opinions and experiences of young patients is a systemic failure that undermines the entire principle of patient-centered care” he stated.
Beyond the issue of patient agency, the report paints a grim picture of the broader pediatric care landscape. Shortages in specialized healthcare personnel and a misdirection of training resources are compounding existing problems. The report details bottlenecks in both inpatient and outpatient care, coupled with financial disadvantages specifically impacting pediatric services. Critically, the report implicates recent political interventions and policy decisions as contributors to deficiencies in the availability of essential medications and medical supplies, actively exacerbating health and participation inequalities.
Structural barriers continue to impede the delivery of age-appropriate care, further complicated by a financing system that demonstrably fails to adequately address the unique needs of younger patients. The Stiftung Kindergesundheit and DGKJ are now urgently calling for a significant shift in the political and legislative spheres, urging policymakers to prioritize the needs and perspectives of children and adolescents, particularly within crucial ongoing reforms such as the planned hospital restructuring. “The voices of children and adolescents must be fully integrated into processes that affect their well-being; anything less represents a dereliction of duty” declared Burkhard Rodeck, General Secretary of the DGKJ. The joint statement serves as a powerful demand for a more inclusive and sustainable future for pediatric healthcare in Germany.