A short time ago, the news came that Oslo University Hospital (OUS) has decided to close the maternity clinic ABC clinic. The last working day there will be March 4. The reason for the shutdown must be that OUS will save money.
Reveals: – Referred to MR
This has caused strong reactions among many people in Norway, and among Norwegian celebrities as well. Dagbladet has had a chat with several profiles who do not hide the fact that they are furious about the closure.
Kristin Gjelsvik (36) is one of those who speak out. She tells Dagbladet that it is a terrible shame that OUS has chosen to close down the ABC clinic.
– Incredibly sad
– I just think it’s completely tragic how women’s health is being de-prioritized, and we see that once again, clearly here, no matter how many women stand up against this and say it’s a scandal, she says.
Gjelsvik did not give birth at the ABC clinic herself, but says that the importance of being seen and cared for is absolutely enormous.
Opens: – Tough time
– I had a 69-hour birth, I was in labor for a whole weekend, and just what I experienced at Ullevål with 17 different midwives who are inside your vagina to check how it’s doing – it’s simply a bit overwhelming . I think it’s incredibly sad that one of the most dangerous things women do is downgraded. They can get the middle finger from me, those who have made this decision!
– Women’s health is being de-prioritised
Influencer Sara Emilie Tandberg (31) also reacts to the closure. She is heavily pregnant herself.
– It is very tragic and it is very sad that we are told to give birth to more children, but then the offer for women’s health gets worse and worse, and especially the maternity services, she says and continues:
– Felt very alone
– I am someone who has had a miscarriage and is dependent on getting somewhere quickly – that applies to many other women too! The fact that they have to travel much further because they do not get the offer nearby is very unfortunate. And it is general women’s health that is also being de-prioritised. A change must be made.
– It is problematic
Journalist and social debater Ingeborg Senneset (37) also offers harsh criticism.
– I cannot have a clear opinion about an individual clinic in that way, but I can have an opinion about health policy. I believe this is part of a bigger picture where you run a “health shop”. It is run economically and then it will always be very divided. It is problematic.
Senneset also emphasizes that the problem is bigger than just the ABC clinic, but extends to the general maternity services.
– Very scary
– All in all, there are so many times that women’s health is de-prioritised. There is not enough research into what affects women. One should not forget in the middle of it all that there is not a good maternity service across the board, and one must not look blindly at the one clinic.
Criticism has been pouring in since the news broke. Previously, the Minister of Health has Ingvild Kjerkol said the following to Dagbladet:
– The most important thing is that there is a safe and secure delivery and maternity service in Oslo. Of course, Oslo University Hospital will continue to have that.
After the breakup: – I’m on a train
She continued:
– At the same time, OUS is affected by the same personnel shortage as in the rest of the country, which means that they have to adapt the offer to what they have of available personnel, as well as the fact that the number of births has decreased by 1,100 from 2021 to 2022.
