Germany’s genomic surveillance faces collapse as federal funding ends in 2025
The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) has announced plans to end funding for the Integrated Genomic Surveillance (IGS) system by the end of 2025. The IGS, developed by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), has received around €18 million in finance since 2021. This move has raised concerns among scientists and health officials about the future of infectious disease surveillance.
The IGS, launched in 2021, provides crucial insights into drug resistance and pathogen strain spread. It has been funded by the BMG until 2025, after which the RKI is expected to continue operations using its own budget. However, the RKI's budget is mostly allocated, leaving limited funds for such projects.
Stefan Niemann, scientific director of the National Reference Center for Mycobacteria, warned that losing BMG funding could dismantle built networks and capacities. Michael Müller, chair of the Accredited Laboratories in Medicine (ALM), described the decision as a 'severe setback' for progress made in integrated genomic surveillance.
Despite the BMG's plan to phase out funding, the Health Ministry has stated that the IGS remains vital for future pathogen surveillance. They plan to work with the RKI to explore future marketplace options, but no concrete commitments have been made yet. The fate of the IGS hangs in the balance, with scientists and health officials hoping for a resolution that ensures its continued operation.
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