Jena, 23.07.2026: In response to historically low birth rates in Thüringen, the Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ), in cooperation with the Thüringer Ministry of Health, is focusing on the digitalization of obstetric medicine. With state funding, a telemedical network is being established to make specialist knowledge available statewide.
- Project: Development of a digital network for maternity clinics
- Central Actor: Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ)
- Funding: Approximately 1.4 million euros from the State of Thüringen
- Target Horizon: Comprehensive implementation by the end of 2027
Response to the decline in births in Thüringen
In 2025, Thüringen recorded a historic low with approximately 11,500 newborns. Due to demographic change and the closure of several maternity wards – such as in Sonneberg, Greiz, Hildburghausen, and Sömmerda – remaining clinics face the challenge of maintaining the highest level of care quality despite declining case numbers. The Universitätsklinikum Jena plays a central role here as a maximum-care provider.
Goals and core tasks of the telemedicine network
To guarantee optimal care for all pregnant women and newborns in the Free State, the network coordinated by the UKJ pursues clear medical and organizational goals:
- Telemedical on-call service: Experienced specialists from Jena’s obstetric department are available to smaller maternity clinics around the clock via video link for consultations during emergencies and complex births.
- Targeted further education: The UKJ manages and coordinates training programs for obstetricians, midwives, and medical professionals to permanently strengthen knowledge transfer to the regions.
- Quality assurance: Uniform treatment standards and rapid expertise for high-risk and premature births ensure medical care directly on-site.
Prof. Ekkehard Schleußner, Director of the Jena University Clinic for Obstetrics, emphasizes the urgency of the measure: Every child born in Thüringen must be able to receive the best possible medical care, regardless of the place of birth.
Background: Record low in births in Thüringen
According to surveys by the State Statistical Office, the number of births in Thüringen has fallen by 35 percent between 1991 and 2024. In 2025, the figure reached its lowest level ever recorded with approximately 11,500 children. The primary reason for this is the decline in the number of women of childbearing age. The shrinking care ratio is forcing the healthcare landscape to find new ways of cooperation to support decentralized structures through digital specialization.
Source:
Uniklinik Jena: Geburtskliniken per Telemedizin vernetzt
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.