Krasnoyarsk merges four maternity hospitals amid declining birth rates

Four maternity hospitals in Krasnoyarsk will merge into a single regional health centre. The decision follows a steady decline in births and aims to streamline care for mothers and newborns. Health Minister Alexey Konovalenko announced the changes on Tuesday. The restructuring will see maternity hospitals Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 5 lose their independent status. They will now operate under the Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health. The Krasnoyarsk Regional Medical Genetics Center will also join the network.

Over the past five years, deliveries in the four hospitals have fallen by 17%. Meanwhile, the perinatal centre has recorded a 19.5% rise in births. The current system was designed decades ago when annual births in the region reached up to 20,000. Today, hospital deliveries have dropped by nearly 40%, and postpartum stays have shortened to just three to five days.

In 2025 alone, 477 patients were transferred between facilities, causing delays and added risks. The regional commission reviewed the reform and concluded it would not bring negative social effects. No job cuts are expected as part of the changes. The merger will centralise maternity services under one management team. Officials say the move will improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary patient transfers. The changes take effect as the region adapts to lower birth rates and modern medical practices.