In a recent report by Rzeczpospolita, the future of the maternity ward in Lesko, Poland, has been put into question as Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on TVN24 that the ward has not been closed; however, discussions around its viability have been ongoing for months. Since July 1, 2025, operations at the maternity ward have officially been suspended, and it is set to be permanently closed by January 1, 2026, raising concerns among local expectant mothers regarding their healthcare options.

To mitigate the impact of these closures on pregnant women, the Polish Ministry of Health has devised a new regulation that allows hospitals without maternity wards to create designated birthing rooms. These facilities will feature a 24-hour duty of a midwife who can assist during emergencies or provide support for pregnant women en route to the nearest functioning maternity ward. This regulation took effect on January 31, and the National Health Fund (NFZ) has priced this service at 8,664 PLN per day, providing some financial support to hospitals opting to establish these birthing rooms.

The establishment of birthing rooms represents a critical adaptation in Poland's healthcare system, reflecting the challenges of maintaining sufficient maternal health services in rural areas. As hospitals are incentivized with a daily flat rate for setting up these new facilities, the aim is to ensure that all pregnant women, particularly those from regions where maternity wards have closed, have access to safe and effective birthing options, thus addressing both safety and healthcare accessibility concerns in the community.