“The Prime Minister decided to depoliticize this ministry, thereby taking full responsibility for this government’s health policy,” said on Monday the chair of the parliamentary caucus of New Left, Anna Żukowska. She also pointed to poor communication with Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda.
In July last year, a government reshuffle took place. One – of the few – changes was at the helm of the Ministry of Health. Izabela Leszczyna from Civic Platform was replaced by then-deputy minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda. Prime Minister Donald Tusk argued that the change was meant to depoliticize the ministry. Another step in this direction was, among others, the removal of Krzysztof Konieczny from New Left.
According to Anna Żukowska, after the ministry was depoliticized, full responsibility for the sector fell on Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “The Prime Minister decided to depoliticize this ministry, thereby taking full responsibility for this government’s health policy. We regret that we are no longer in this ministry,” she said on Radio Wnet.
Minister Avoiding Talks?
She criticized the decision to close maternity wards and stressed that for this decision, Minister Sobierańska-Grenda had received a red card from them. These were not the only bitter words about the head of the ministry. Żukowska reported that it is difficult to arrange a meeting with her. “It is not easy with the minister. We want to talk to her, unfortunately we have been unable to arrange a meeting with the caucus, because there are a number of other reservations about health policy. She claims she has a lot of work. We do have patience, but it is not limitless,” she said.
Dire Situation for Pregnant Women
Let us recall that in the first weeks of 2026, 18 Polish hospitals closed their maternity wards. As a result, deliveries in emergency rooms have become a reality. The government wants to solve the problem with so-called birth rooms. According to the opposition, however, the plan is incomplete and does not address the most important issue – the lack of safety for pregnant women.