More than 20 organizations denounce the crisis at the maternity ward of Manacor Hospital: "It could be another step in the privatization process"

PalmMore than 20 organizations have expressed their concern over the reduction in Gynecology and Obstetrics services at Manacor Hospital, following the activation of a contingency plan that has left the delivery room virtually without routine procedures. Health sources confirmed that the contingency plan will be deactivated this week, with the aim of allowing the service to return to normal and resume attending to all births without restrictions. The statement, signed by the Levante Women's Collective and more than 20 other associations, denounces that this situation jeopardizes women's rights and the quality of public service. "We wish to express our concern following the recent negative news regarding the reduction in Gynecology services at Manacor Hospital," they state, and emphasize that their demands are "centered on women's rights and the rights of all people, based on human values."

The organizations point out that Manacor Hospital serves over 130,000 people in the Levante region of Mallorca and consider it absurd that, after four years of renovations, the hospital is now showing signs of deterioration. They also warn that they will not remain passive in the face of what could be another step in the privatization of healthcare services, a trend that weakens public healthcare. They reiterate that the right to health protection is enshrined in the Constitution, and public authorities are obligated to guarantee it. In their statement, the organizations demand a Gynecology and Obstetrics service that allows women to receive adequate public healthcare and enables children and grandchildren to be born in Manacor. They also want to avoid all the hardships that travel could cause mothers, children, and families, both economically and socially. Finally, they announce that they have requested "an urgent meeting with the manager of Manacor Hospital, on the one hand, and with the mayor of Manacor, on the other, so that they can remedy this situation and reverse the trend towards the privatization of healthcare as soon as possible."

A maternity ward at a standstill

The contingency plan, activated on January 19, 2026, was implemented due to a lack of available gynecologists to cover shifts after 3:00 PM and on weekends, which has forced the referral of normal deliveries to other hospitals. This situation has left the maternity ward practically deserted and has generated outrage among professionals and users, with many women preferring to travel to other centers to ensure safe care. According to the professionals consulted, despite the lack of gynecologists, "midwives could attend to most births," and referring pregnant women to other centers can generate unnecessary risks and overload other hospitals.

The Manacor Hospital, inaugurated in 1997 after more than 10 years of citizen mobilization and a large demonstration in Palma on October 31, 1987, is a referral center that has historically stood out for its "excellence and for offering high-quality medical and human care." The organizations emphasize that this level of service must be maintained and expanded to guarantee full coverage for the population of eastern Mallorca. They reiterate that healthcare and education are fundamental pillars of a just and equitable society, as they "prevent tensions and act as a preventative measure against far-reaching social conflicts." Therefore, they demand more human and financial resources, as well as efficient management of existing professionals and services. Among the associations that have signed the statement are Mujeres en Danza de Alaró, Teranyines de Sant Joan, Voces Feministas de Porreres, the Association for the Defense of Public Healthcare in the Balearic Islands, the Anti-Patriarchal Assembly of Manacor, and the STEI union, among others. Collectively, they demand that referrals be halted and that women be able to give birth in Manacor without unnecessary travel, guaranteeing the rights of mothers, children, and families. With the deactivation of the contingency plan scheduled for this week, the organizations are confident that the service will return to normal and that the quality care that has distinguished Manacor Hospital for over two decades will be guaranteed. However, they remain vigilant and affirm that they will continue to demand that public healthcare be "high-quality, universal, and safe" for all citizens.