My Job at the Neukölln public health department
Dr. Klaus Morawski, public health officer
What exactly does your job as public health officer entail?
Every day is different: hygiene and infection protection, pediatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry, dentistry, psychiatry, orthopedics. My tasks are divided into three main areas: health, health advice, and care for children, adolescents and adults. I also meet with social workers, therapists and health supervisors on a daily basis. We discuss current developments – I work with a total of 16 colleagues and 32 social workers.
What do you find fascinating about your job?
It is varied and at the center of things. For instance, I am currently working on the following topics: child protection, the "early prevention" network with contact to families with newborns, the multiple drug resistance (MDR) network, immunization initiatives for non-vaccinated newly arrived immigrants, health controls, hospital supervision and mental health care in the borough of Neukölln. It is very exciting. It's a nice feeling to be there for "public health." My job provides me with new challenges every day – a real alternative to clinic and practice.
Why Berlin?
My family is originally from West Prussia. When my grandparents emigrated here, Berlin was a vibrant city that was just evolving into a world metropolis. They wanted to participate in that. I want that too. Even today, nothing has changed. Berlin is still vibrant and developing. I am now a native Berliner and I can't imagine anything better than making a contribution to the Neukölln public health department.
