Health and Public Health in Dessau-Roßlau: Focus March 2026

The Committee in March 2026: Health, Social Affairs, and Disability Policy in Focus

In March 2026, the Committee for Health, Education, and Social Affairs met in Dessau-Roßlau and addressed central issues of public health and social support. The meeting on March 10, 2026, not only provided an overview of current challenges in social welfare but also offered insights into long-term planning for the integration of disabled youth and the role of volunteer structures in health care.

Unplanned Social Expenditure: Financing and Background

A central topic of the meeting was the approval of unplanned expenses in funding category 5912 for the year 2025. The city decided to approve additional expenses amounting to 1,333,285.98 EUR, primarily based on services under the Social Code Books II and XII and the Asylum Benefits Act (AsylbLG). These additional expenses arose, among other things, from extensions of residence permits for Ukrainian refugees and changes in legal frameworks. In addition, peaks in accommodation costs, price developments in educational services, and catering providers led to higher expenditures.

Financing was carried out through unplanned personnel costs and additional revenues from local business tax. This illustrates how closely social policy is linked to financial planning and how flexible municipalities must be to cushion social emergencies.

Integration of Disabled Youth: Challenges and Perspectives

During the public question hour, questions were raised about the integration of disabled youth into school-based training programs. The Regenbogenschule (Rainbow School), which plays a central role in this context, is currently fully occupied. The city is waiting for registration numbers for the next school year to achieve long-term planning security. The discussion emphasizes the need to ensure both educational and professional prospects for disabled youth to promote their independence.

Volunteer Structures: Patient Ombudsman and Violence Prevention

Another important topic was the introduction of the city’s volunteer patient ombudsman. This role is particularly important in the healthcare system, as it serves as an independent contact person for patients and their families and mediates in conflicts or misunderstandings. The work of the patient ombudsman shows how important volunteer structures are for transparent and trusting healthcare.

In addition, the Gender Equality Officer presented information on the Working Group on Violence. The discussion on domestic violence and protection services—particularly for women—remained a central topic. The women's shelter in Dessau-Roßlau currently offers 6 places for women and 10 places for children, but is limited in terms of funding and occupancy due to a shortage of staff. The accommodation of men in protective facilities is currently not possible in Dessau-Roßlau, indicating structural bottlenecks in regional violence prevention policy.

Barrier-Free Housing and Subsidies: Opportunities and Challenges

In the context of the activity report of the City’s Disability Officer, topics of barrier-free housing options were also discussed. The DWG (Dessau-Wörlitzer Wohnungsbaugesellschaft) and state subsidies for renovations to create barrier-free housing were addressed. In addition, there are funding options for bathroom renovations via health insurance companies, which represent an important support for disabled people and older residents.

Outlook: Stabilization and Further Development of Health Policy

The meeting of the Committee for Health, Education, and Social Affairs in March 2026 showed that Dessau-Roßlau is working on different levels to stabilize and further develop its health and social policies. From the financing of unplanned social benefits to the integration of disabled youth and the strengthening of volunteer structures, a broad range of topics is covered. Central to this is how closely health policy, social policy, and financial policy are interlinked and how important it is to create long-term planning security in order to address the needs of the population sustainably.