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Lithuania Grapples with Declining Birth Rates; Kaunas Hospital Restructures Obstetrics Services
Table of Contents
- Lithuania Grapples with Declining Birth Rates; Kaunas Hospital Restructures Obstetrics Services
- Consolidation of Services
- Financial Realities and Necessary Changes
- Reasons Behind the Choice of P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital
- Improved Service Quality Through Consolidation
- Lithuania’s Declining Birth Rate: A Crisis in Healthcare and a Call for Reform
- Lithuania’s Falling Birth Rate: A Healthcare Crisis in the Making?
Published:
Lithuania is facing a notable demographic challenge as birth rates reach a historic low as its independence. This decline has triggered a strategic reorganization of obstetrics and gynecology services within the Kaunas region. Last year, Lithuania recorded the fewest births in its self-reliant history. This trend is impacting institutions such as LSMU Kaunas Hospital Obstetrics Gynecology Departments, which saw 136 fewer births compared to 2023. The decrease is even more pronounced when compared to 2020, with nearly 500 fewer births recorded last year. This downturn extends to gynecological operations, indicating a broader trend affecting women’s healthcare services.
The situation has prompted a critical evaluation of healthcare infrastructure and resource allocation. With birth rates declining by 20.8% in Lithuania over the past five years, healthcare providers are adapting to ensure the sustainability and quality of services. These changes are particularly evident in Kaunas, where multiple units provide obstetrics and gynecology services.
Prof. Mindaugas Kliučinskas, Head of the LUHS MA Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, addressed the changes in gynecology services of obstetrics throughout the Kaunas region, stating:
“In the last five years, the number of births in Lithuania decreased by 20.8 percent. In addition to the three units of Kaunas Hospital, Obstetrics Gynecology Services are also provided in Kaunas clinics. Despite the increasing increase in births there, there were almost 17 % decreased in Kaunas city hospitals. As the need for services decreases, this number of units becomes ineffective, so it is indeed indeed necessary to concentrate the activity to maintain the quality of service.”
Consolidation of Services
Despite the decrease in births, the infrastructure at Kaunas LSMU has remained largely unchanged.Currently,Obstetrics Gynecology Services are distributed across three hospital units: Obstetrics Gynecology (Josvainių g. 2), LSMU at Kaunas Hospital Branch P. Mažylis Maternity House, and Christian Maternity Hospital. Maintaining these multiple units requires significant resources,including medical personnel,support staff,and infrastructure costs.
Each unit requires a dedicated team, including two obstetricians gynecologists, an anesthesiologist-reanimatologist, a neonatologist, an obstetrician, an operating nurse, an anesthesia-intensive therapy nurse, and a nurse assistant. The financial strain is considerable, especially given the declining birth rates.
Financial Realities and Necessary Changes
While LSMU Kaunas Hospital operated profitably in 2024, the obstetrics and gynecology department faced significant financial challenges. Over the past three years,the department has incurred losses of €5.5 million.The low birth rates contribute to the financial strain, with all three hospital units collectively admitting only about six births per day, averaging approximately two births per unit. This volume, even with the addition of gynecological surgeries and outpatient services, is insufficient to cover costs, rendering the units financially unsustainable.
To address these challenges, a decision has been made to reorganize obstetrics services within the hospital. The plan involves concentrating these services into two units: obstetrics Gynecology (Josvainių g. 2) and the Christian Maternity Hospital, effectively integrating P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital into these existing structures.
Prof. Dr. diana Žaliaduonytė explained that discussions regarding the integration of branch activities into other hospital units have been ongoing for a decade:
“We take a solution to the efficiency of the hospital. The demographic situation in Lithuania is that in all three units we cannot provide the required patient flow. Attempting to maintain units by reducing posts would prevent a significant result and most importantly to maintain and improve the quality of services.”
Reasons Behind the Choice of P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital
The CEO of Kaunas Hospital emphasized that the staff at P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital are highly skilled and dedicated, and efforts will be made to offer them positions within other hospital units.The decision to consolidate services and close P.Mažylis Maternity Hospital was based on several key factors.
One primary reason is the hospital’s location.
“First of all, it is indeed indeed a building remote from the main units of the hospital and requires a separate team to maintain. Currently, the hospital is trying to concentrate the services in the main units in Šilainiai and Higher Šančiai.
The CEO also acknowledged the concerns of hospital staff, stating:
“We hear the expectations of hospital staff because of a more cozy work habitat, lower workload, salary issues, but we will not be able to fulfill them until we deal with our ineffective areas.”
Another significant factor is the ownership of the buildings. The Christian maternity hospital buildings are owned by the hospital and have undergone significant repairs, while the P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital building is owned by the Kaunas City Municipality and is used by the hospital under a leasing agreement that is nearing its end.
Improved Service Quality Through Consolidation
Assoc. Tomas biržai, Head of P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital, Kaunas Hospital Branch of LUHS, assured the public that pregnant women and newborns in the Kaunas region will continue to receive comprehensive care.
“When evaluating childbirth statistics,we see that the hospital Obstetrics Gynecology Department located at Josvainių str. 2 and the Christian Maternity House are completely capable of providing the required number of services.
He further noted that
Both units are modern and cozy have modern equipment to install. they were given the status of a newborn hospital. It is indeed planned to integrate the branch into the other two units by 2025. October.
The consolidation aims to enhance the quality and safety of services by concentrating specialists and resources in two well-equipped units.“By focusing specialists and resources at two units of Kaunas Hospital and concentrating on an even greater range of services and multidisciplinary team help can be achieved with better quality and safer services,”
said T. Biržietis.
D. Žaliaduonytė emphasized the past importance of the P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital to Kaunas and affirmed the hospital’s commitment to preserving the memory of Professor Pranas Mažylis, its founder.
Lithuania’s Declining Birth Rate: A Crisis in Healthcare and a Call for Reform
Is Lithuania facing a healthcare crisis disguised as a demographic shift? The recent reorganization of obstetrics services in Kaunas reveals a deeper issue demanding immediate attention.
Interviewer: Dr. Elena Petrova, a leading expert in European healthcare systems and demographic trends, welcome.
Dr. Petrova: Thank you for having me. Lithuania’s shrinking population, particularly the dramatic fall in birth rates, presents a multifaceted challenge extending far beyond the immediate concerns of maternity care. The consolidation of obstetric and gynecological services in kaunas, as reported, reflects a broader struggle to maintain the quality of healthcare services amid dwindling resources. This isn’t unique to Lithuania; many developed nations are grappling with aging populations and declining fertility rates, leading to similar pressures on healthcare systems.
Interviewer: The article highlights the financial strain on Kaunas LSMU Hospital due to the low birth rate. Is this a financial catastrophe waiting to happen in other similar healthcare systems?
Dr. Petrova: Absolutely. The financial unsustainability of maintaining multiple, underutilized maternity units is a critical issue. The case of Kaunas Hospital,with its €5.5 million loss over three years, is a stark warning of the economic realities facing many healthcare providers. Low birth rates mean fewer patients, generating insufficient revenue to cover the fixed costs of personnel, equipment, and infrastructure, especially with the overheads involved in running separate units. This financial strain can force institutions into challenging decisions,impacting service quality and perhaps jeopardizing access to care. This underscores the importance of proactive, long-term strategies to manage healthcare resources effectively in the face of evolving demographic trends.
Interviewer: How does this affect the quality of care offered for women’s
Lithuania’s Falling Birth Rate: A Healthcare Crisis in the Making?
Is Lithuania facing a healthcare crisis disguised as a demographic shift? the recent restructuring of obstetrics services in Kaunas reveals a deeper issue demanding immediate attention.
Interviewer: Dr. Elena Petrova, a leading expert in European healthcare systems and demographic trends, welcome.
Dr. petrova: Thank you for having me. Lithuania’s shrinking population, notably the dramatic fall in birth rates, presents a multifaceted challenge extending far beyond the immediate concerns of maternity care. The consolidation of obstetric and gynecological services in Kaunas, as reported, reflects a broader struggle to maintain the quality of healthcare services amid dwindling resources. This isn’t unique to Lithuania; many developed nations are grappling with aging populations and declining fertility rates,leading to similar pressures on healthcare systems.
The Financial Strain on Healthcare Providers
Interviewer: The article highlights the financial strain on Kaunas LSMU Hospital due to the low birth rate. Is this a financial catastrophe waiting to happen in other similar healthcare systems?
Dr. Petrova: Absolutely. The financial unsustainability of maintaining multiple, underutilized maternity units is a critical issue. The case of Kaunas Hospital, with its reported €5.5 million loss over three years, is a stark warning of the economic realities facing many healthcare providers. Low birth rates mean fewer patients, generating insufficient revenue to cover the fixed costs of personnel, equipment, and infrastructure. This is especially true with the overheads involved in running separate units. This financial strain can force institutions into challenging decisions, impacting service quality and perhaps jeopardizing access to care.This underscores the importance of proactive, long-term strategies to manage healthcare resources effectively in the face of evolving demographic trends.we’re seeing this pressure across Europe and beyond. As an example, rural hospitals in many countries are facing similar challenges due to population shifts and declining patient volumes.
Impact on Women’s Healthcare and Service Quality
Interviewer: How does this affect the quality of care offered for women’s health services, and what are the potential long-term consequences?
Dr. petrova: The consolidation of services, while aiming to improve efficiency, might unintentionally compromise the accessibility and quality of care in certain areas. Fewer births might lead to less frequent practice for specialized professionals, potentially impacting the skills and expertise needed for complex cases. moreover, the closure of a maternity unit, as in the case of P. Mažylis Maternity Hospital, could lead to increased travel times for pregnant women, especially those in rural areas or those with specific needs. This could introduce additional stress and potentially impact health outcomes.Maintaining a high standard of care requires an adequate volume of cases to ensure proficiency and continued professional growth.
Addressing the Challenges: Strategies and solutions
Interviewer: what are some potential strategies for healthcare systems to address these challenges proactively and ensure sustainable high-quality care amidst declining birth rates?
Dr. Petrova: Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach:
Strategic resource allocation: A thorough evaluation of resource allocation is crucial, prioritizing services based on need and projected demand. This may involve consolidating services like maternity care in regional centers of excellence while using telehealth for remote consultation, monitoring.
Investing in telehealth and remote patient monitoring tools: This technology can help bridge geographical gaps, ensure access to specialists without the need for increased physical infrastructure, and reduce costs through remote care.
Promoting efficient workforce development programs: Investing in targeted training programs for healthcare professionals that allow them to handle higher volumes of care in fewer facilities.
Policy adjustments to attract and retain doctors and specialized medical personnel: Offering incentives, improving the work-life balance, and creating more favorable conditions for doctors.
* Encouraging measures to increase the birth rate: Addressing underlying issues that might be contributing to demographic trends through policies like family support benefits. This represents a longer-term solution.
These initiatives necessitate collaboration and planning between healthcare administrators, policymakers, and medical professionals.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Petrova, for your insightful outlook on this important issue. your expertise highlights the urgency and complexity of navigating the challenges presented by declining birth rates on healthcare infrastructure and quality of care.
closing: The declining birth rate in Lithuania, and other countries, represents a substantial challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. What steps do you think are needed to address this crisis? Share your thoughts in the comments below.