Access to HIV care and preventative services is limited in the German state of Brandenburg, with specialized medical practices concentrated in areas surrounding Berlin. This lack of localized options presents challenges for residents seeking timely testing, treatment, and counseling, highlighting disparities in healthcare access within the region.
Limited Specialized Care Availability
According to Ulrich Widders, head of the infection control department at Brandenburg’s Ministry of Health, only two specialized practices offering HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) are currently available in the state. Both are located in the vicinity of Berlin, specifically in Kleinmachnow, a residential area on the southern outskirts of the city, and the neighboring municipality of Blankenfelde-Mahlow. The concentration of these services underscores the difficulty of providing comprehensive care across Brandenburg’s geographically dispersed population.
Reliance on Neighboring Regions
Widders emphasized the essential role of AIDS support organizations in Potsdam and Cottbus in providing testing and counseling services. He too noted that many Brandenburg residents utilize healthcare facilities in Berlin to access HIV-related care. “We are making many efforts to ensure the care of those infected with HIV, but it is not easy in a sparsely populated state like Brandenburg,” Widders stated. This reliance on services outside of Brandenburg highlights the require for improved local infrastructure.
Over 1,200 Cases Reported Since 2001
Since the implementation of the German Infection Protection Act in 2001, the state of Brandenburg has reported 1,297 HIV cases to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Of these, 934 were male patients and 363 were female patients. Widders indicated a positive trend within the most affected group – men who have sex with men – but also observed a degree of complacency since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This observation suggests a potential need for renewed public health messaging and preventative efforts to address changing risk behaviors.
