(de-news.net) – In an effort to narrow the so‑called ‘gender gap,’ Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) announced that she intended to intensify her initiatives to counteract the unequal treatment of men and women within the medical sector. She stressed that women had historically been placed at a disadvantage compared with men, noting that the specific requirements of female patients had only in recent years begun to be systematically incorporated into the design and evaluation of clinical studies. This belated recognition, she argued, underscored the need for decisive political and scientific action.
Warken explained that pharmaceutical substances often produce different effects in male and female bodies, and she observed that women frequently present distinct symptoms compared with men, particularly in the case of cardiovascular diseases. Because medical education and professional training programs continue to inadequately address these disparities, she insisted that the existing knowledge deficit must be closed as quickly as possible. The persistence of such gaps, she maintained, not only undermines the quality of care but also perpetuates structural inequities in health outcomes.
Warken further clarified that the Health Ministry had established a financing program amounting to 11.5 million euros, scheduled to run until 2029, with the explicit purpose of supporting research projects that aim to improve healthcare provision for women. She added that supplementary resources were available through the Research Ministry. Beyond the allocation of funds, she emphasized the broader political importance of addressing conditions that are specific to women, including menopause, endometriosis, and menstrual pain. She argued that these issues, often marginalized in public discourse, must be treated as central components of health policy.
Regarding international examples, Warken expressed reservations about Spain’s policy of granting ‘menstrual leave’ to women experiencing severe discomfort. She suggested that greater progress could be achieved if employers were sensitized to the challenges faced by women, thereby reducing the additional pressure that often accompanies acute symptoms in the workplace. Without such awareness, she warned, many women might feel compelled to shift from full‑time to part‑time employment, a development she regarded as an inadequate solution. To foster a more comprehensive debate, she initiated a structured dialogue process designed to involve all relevant stakeholders and to ensure that the issue would be discussed openly and constructively.
Turning to the controversy surrounding midwife compensation, Warken responded to criticism directed at Chancellor Friedrich Merz by asserting that the Federal Government was not directly responsible for remuneration levels. She explained that payment arrangements are negotiated between midwives’ associations and health insurance providers. For structural reasons, she argued, self‑administration within the healthcare system determines compensation across all service areas, and political authorities should refrain from direct intervention. Nevertheless, she acknowledged her concern about ensuring that Germany maintains a sufficient number of midwives who are adequately compensated, and she reported that she had already engaged in discussions with both negotiating parties.
Warken pointed out that the current contract had been the outcome of arbitration proceedings. Under the terms of this agreement, both sides are required to evaluate the contract’s impact using the most up‑to‑date data and, if necessary, to resume negotiations promptly in order to adjust the remuneration framework. The minister expressed confidence that all participants were fully aware of their responsibilities and would act accordingly.