Demographics are inexorable – there are fewer and fewer of us. According to the Central Statistical Office, only 19 thousand children were born in June. More and more maternity wards have to be closed, which is understandably met with resistance from patients.
Special time, special needs. – Every woman who has given birth requires peace and quiet – comments one of the mothers.
The problem is that in some maternity wards it is so quiet that you can't hear the children. In June, a record low number of babies were born – 19 thousand. – Demographic indicators keep surprising us, the following months show it – says Joanna Pietrusiewicz from the Rodzić Po Ludzku Foundation.
“If less than one baby is born per day, it becomes dangerous”
Hence, the Ministry of Health is consulting on the idea that, as part of the hospital reform, local governments should abandon the smallest maternity wards.
– If less than one child is born per day, it becomes dangerous for the health of the woman giving birth and the child – explains the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna (KO).
Because the staff is getting out of practice. In the hospital in Nowe Miasto Lubawskie this year, an average of one child was born every two days. So the decision was made – the maternity ward will be closed.
– With such a small number of deliveries, the department is simply very short of money. The network of maternity wards that operates in Poland does not match the current demographic conditions and the number of births – assesses Michał Kamiński, director of the District Hospital in Nowe Miasto Lubawskie.
A criterion that is not met by one third of Polish maternity wards
The initial criterion for maintaining a maternity ward is 400 deliveries per year. Currently, one third of Polish maternity wards do not meet this criterion.
– These changes are necessary, but it is possible to introduce them in such a way as not to create fear among women who do not know whether they will give birth in their nearest hospital in a few months, what it will look like – comments Joanna Pietrusiewicz.
The Ministry of Health argues that in exchange for having to give birth in a neighbouring city, the woman will gain better conditions.
– For local governments to sit down at the table and reach an agreement on which district would be best to have a very well-equipped, excellent maternity ward with access to perinatal anesthesia – suggests Minister Izabela Leszczyna.
They want to develop principles of treating pain in newborns. Modern equipment and artificial intelligence helpMarta Kolbus/Fakty po Południe TVN24
In the last year the number of births fell below 260 thousand. That is not enough and it will not be more.
– We should expect that this decline in the number of births will continue, because the number of women of reproductive age will not suddenly increase. It is simply what it is. It is lower than it was in the past – comments Professor Anna Matysiak, a demographer from the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Warsaw.
Demographics are forcing hospitals to restructure. When obstetrics is losing money, you have to look elsewhere for income.
– Due to the negative natural increase, we are entering more into the geriatric, internal medicine and surgical part – says Ryszard Kielar, director of the Independent Public Health Care Facility in Parczew.
Maternity wards can be replaced by geriatrics in particular. Because there are no more children, but there are more seniors, on the contrary. – The demand in terms of diseases of old age is huge – emphasizes Michał Kamiński.
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