[2] In the period 1952–1954 he acted as the deputy chairman of the central committee of the German Red Cross.

[2] From 1954 to 1957 he was the deputy chief of the medical service of the Kasernierte Volkspolizei and then of the National People's Army.

[2] In 1957 he was named as the head of the military medical section at the University of Greifswald which he held until 1964.

[2] In 1969 Mecklinger was appointed secretary of state and first vice health minister.

[2] In 1971 he was named as the health minister and replaced Max Sefrin in the post.