The Polish Ministry of Health is addressing confusion over the status of the maternity ward in Lesko, which has been officially closed since the end of 2025, despite statements suggesting it remains operational.
The discussion around the gynecological and obstetric ward in Lesko, located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, intensified after Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed during a TVN24 broadcast that the maternity ward had not been shut down. However, the following day, government spokesman Adam Szłapka clarified that the ward is currently non-operational due to ongoing renovations. This discrepancy has sparked confusion among citizens regarding access to maternity services in the region.
Notably, the maternity ward in Lesko was officially closed at the end of 2025, and as reported by 'Rzeczpospolita', the local healthcare provider (SPZOZ) has no plans to establish a 'birth room', which could offer alternative birthing options. Acting director Mirosław Leśniewski stated that implementing such a facility poses significant risks to the hospital. While they are prepared to handle emergency situations in the emergency room, they are not ready to commit to contractual obligations related to maternity care.
The closure of the last maternity ward in the Bieszczady region highlights ongoing challenges in healthcare accessibility in rural areas of Poland. With no viable alternatives proposed, expectant mothers in the region face increasing difficulties in accessing necessary care during childbirth, raising questions about the adequacy of maternal healthcare services in this part of the country.
