Balvi closes maternity ward, leaving pregnant women uncertain

Balvi Hospital’s maternity ward has stopped operating, leaving pregnant women in Latvia’s border region without access to midwife services, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported. The Health Ministry says the closure was the hospital’s initiative, while the hospital management has cited a lack of funding and a new reform.

Pregnant women must now travel about 100 kilometres to hospitals in Rēzekne or Valmiera even for basic procedures, such as checking a baby’s heartbeat.

Expectant mother Sintija Velme said she had usually travelled to Balvi for medical appointments, where a gynaecologist had always been available.

“Women whose due date is approaching could have the baby’s heart tones checked, but now I see that the internet says we have a gynaecologist on site, while in reality there is no one there,” Velme said.

She is also worried that reaching Rēzekne or Valmiera from rural areas by emergency medical transport could take several hours if labour begins.

“There is no bus that goes directly to Gulbene or Rēzekne. You have to travel to Balvi and then look for another bus to Gulbene or Rēzekne. That is not an option,” Velme said, adding that local residents were trying to preserve the maternity ward.

Velme said she had her own transport but still did not know which services pregnant women could currently receive at Balvi Hospital or whether the range of services would be expanded.

“I am already past 22 weeks, and I am worried about where I will give birth. In the final two weeks, the baby’s heart tones have to be checked at least twice, but that option is not available in Balvi. I do not know where pregnant women should go now,” she said.

The Health Ministry’s reform, which was approved by the government, has led to the closure of Balvi Hospital’s maternity ward, according to the report.