Falling birth numbers have made many maternity wards unprofitable, leading to closures across the country.
In response, the Ministry of Health has devised a system to ensure expectant mothers can still give birth safely in facilities without permanent obstetrics departments.
On-duty midwives will assist women in specially equipped delivery rooms, providing initial assessments, monitoring labour progress, and arranging transfers to hospitals with full obstetrics and gynaecology units if necessary.
Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda confirmed in December that the programme will receive 1 billion PLN (approximately €237.5 million) from the Medical Fund, underlining the government’s commitment to maintaining access to maternal care despite demographic challenges.
Expanded maternal care and reproductive health services in Poland
In a video released at the end of last year, Minister Sobierańska-Grenda highlighted that in 2025, 263,000 women underwent prenatal screening. For the first time in Poland, access to these tests was not limited by the mother’s age.
Polish women also gained access to eight specialised endometriosis treatment centres, while 1,400 pharmacies across the country offered consistent availability of emergency contraception.
Under the government’s IVF programme, 22,135 clinical pregnancies were confirmed, resulting in the birth of 8,095 children, including 4,060 girls and 4,035 boys.
(mp)
Source: Polish Ministry of Health/PAP/KPRM