In Podkarpacie, three county hospitals are grappling with a staggering debt of 400 million zł, which threatens their very existence. The situation is particularly dire at the county hospital in Lesko, which has recently faced protests against the closure of its only maternity ward. Despite the closure aimed at reducing financial losses, the overall financial condition of these hospitals has not improved. As these facilities struggle to provide essential services, local authorities, including the Lesko County, are trying to find solutions to this ongoing crisis.

The proposed consolidation of county hospitals with the University Clinical Hospital in Rzeszów comes as a potential solution to the financial woes. This plan aims to improve operational efficiency and resource sharing, which could alleviate some of the fiscal pressures these hospitals face. However, there are significant obstacles to this consolidation, including bureaucratic hurdles and the varying levels of resistance among stakeholders. The involvement of the Ministry of Health is seen as crucial in this process, providing necessary support and possibly funding to help facilitate this transition.

Debt restructuring proposals are also being discussed, with the hope that they might stabilize the hospitals' financial situations. An integration with the University in Rzeszów could bring numerous advantages, including enhanced medical support and access to a wider range of resources for smaller facilities. The challenge remains to navigate these financial hardships while continuing to provide critical healthcare services to the local population, making the stakes of this situation particularly high for the communities involved.