Lycksele BB has Sweden's smallest maternity ward with just over 375 births each year. It has been closed since 19 December 2022 due to staff shortages.
On Tuesday, another demonstration was organized in Lycksele by the nonsocialist parties. The Social Democrats who govern the region were not invited. Ida Hultin and little Sally, seven months old, were one of the more than 200 Lycksele residents who participated.
"You shouldn't have to travel 30-40 km to give birth in Sweden today. The only advice we get today is to bring towels in the car, says Ida Hultin.
"Time is running away from us"
"We can't look at how nothing happens. It is true that the region promises that the maternity ward will be opened after the operation has been put out to tender. But time is constantly running away from us, says Anna Ackemo (M), one of the organizers.
The solution to be able to reopen Lycksele BB is to bring in a private company to solve the staffing. However, this is expensive and has taken a long time.
"An opening may be relevant in the spring at the earliest," says Peter Olofsson (S), regional councillor.
– We have no guarantee that the maternity ward will open again, promises are cheap to give, says Anna Ackemo.
Must save
The procurement is estimated to cost between SEK 50 and 70 million, but how this will be financed is still unclear. At the same time, the region's economy is bleeding with an expected deficit of at least SEK 600 million this year.
The increased cost of Lycksele BB must be saved in the region's other operations.
"There needs to be a reprioritisation, but we haven't started with it yet," says Anna-Lena Danielsson.
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Regional Councillor Peter Olofsson (S): "Doubtful opening this year" Photo: Anders Öhlund/SVT