Question for hackers:

Aren’t the Syrians the real “guest patients”?

Vienna’s City Councilor for Health, Peter Hacker (SPÖ)(Bild: Eva Manhart)

Vienna City Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) in a summer interview on the topic of health—discussing heat in hospitals, unnecessary ultrasound machines, the guest patient controversy, Syrians, and his worst diving experience.

“Krone”: Councilman, in Chapter 1.3 of the City of Vienna’s Heat Action Plan, you warn of the danger posed by current extreme temperatures: “Heat waves are the natural disaster that causes the most deaths worldwide.” Vulnerable groups include people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and infants—in other words, those who visit your hospitals particularly frequently. Yet, ironically, in many cases, those very hospitals lack air conditioning. We measured the temperature at the Donaustadt Clinic. It was 33 degrees inside. Unacceptable, isn’t it?
Peter Hacker: “Unacceptable” is a pretty relative term. The fact that it’s generally hot when it’s hot in the city really isn’t surprising. We’re seeing a trend in temperatures that’s unprecedented on this scale. And we’ve taken all the necessary measures because we approved a massive construction program for our hospitals years ago. And of course, that also addresses the issue of comfort and temperature control.