The maternity ward in Pivdennoukrainsk is closing

Starting September 1, 2026, there are plans to close the obstetrics and gynecology department in Pivdennoukrainsk and reorganize the pediatric department of the city’s general hospital.

According to Suspilne Mykolaiv, the relevant order was signed by the hospital’s director, Serhiy Lupov.

The document provides for the reduction of some staff positions, two months’ advance notice to employees regarding possible layoffs, and the offering of vacant positions within the hospital.

The order states that the changes are related to optimizing the hospital’s structure in accordance with the requirements of medical reform, a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, and the requirements of the National Health Service of Ukraine regarding the formation of a capable network of healthcare facilities.

         Photo: Senior Nurse Oksana Trulyaeva/Facebook

In turn, local residents fear that if the maternity ward is closed and the pediatric ward is reorganized, community members will have to seek care at hospitals in other cities.

Hospital Director Serhiy Lupov explained that the decision is primarily due to financial difficulties. According to him, the funds the facility receives from the National Health Service of Ukraine are insufficient to maintain certain departments.

“We issued an order to downsize the maternity and pediatric wards. This is a very painful decision for both me and the entire staff. But today we are forced to make it,” said the hospital director.

He noted that the number of births has significantly decreased in recent years.

"If we have just one birth every two days now, that’s already good. Such numbers are insufficient to fully maintain the maternity ward," Lupov explained.

According to him, keeping the hospital’s maternity and pediatric wards open requires an additional 2 million hryvnias per month. At the same time, the decision is not yet final.

The head of the medical facility stated that if additional funding sources can be found by September, the order may be rescinded.

He also clarified that pediatric care will not disappear entirely. The plan is to merge departments, not to stop treating children.

According to preliminary estimates, the reorganization could save about five million hryvnias per year. About 30 positions may be cut.

City council members urged hospital management to provide a detailed financial analysis and explore alternative ways to preserve the departments, particularly by securing grants, charitable donations, and additional funding.

The final decision on the fate of the maternity ward may be reviewed by September 1.

As a reminder, a military administration may be introduced in Pivdennoukrainsk due to the city council’s prolonged inability to hold sessions and make decisions important to the community.

Андрій Колісніченко