Health ministry's decision without justification? Doctors defend Prof. Ewa Helwich

The Presidium of the Supreme Medical Council, in a position paper dated February 3, 2026, sharply criticized the Health Ministry's decision to dismiss Professor Ewa Helwich from her position as national consultant in neonatology. The medical association not only finds no justification for the decision, but stresses that it could negatively affect the system of neonatal care in Poland.

"We do not find any basis for such a decision by the Ministry of Health," reads the position of the Presidium of the NRL. As noted, Poland can now boast an effectively functioning system of neonatal care, which for years has been set as an example in many European countries. According to the doctors, this is the result of consistently implemented standards of conduct and high quality care, developed thanks to the many years of work and vision of Professor Ewa Helwich.

Prof. Ewa Helwich is one of the most recognized figures in Polish neonatology. For years she was associated with the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, where she served as head of the Neonatology Clinic. She is the author and co-author of numerous scientific publications, co-author of standards of care for the newborn and an active participant in expert work to improve the quality of perinatal care in Poland.

Appeal of the medical community

The Presidium of the Supreme Medical Council strongly demands that Prof. Ewa Helwich be reinstated as a national consultant and that the Ministry of Health give her its full support in the further development of Polish neonatology.

Who are the national consultants

National consultants are appointed by the Minister of Health from among specialists in particular fields:

• Medicine,
• pharmacy,
• Other fields that are applicable to health care.

The minister may ask for candidates:

• scientific societies of national scope that bring together specialists in a particular field,
• The relevant health professional governments.

National Consultants:

• initiate national epidemiological studies and evaluate the methods and results of these studies;
• forecast health needs in their field;
• advise on how to implement tasks that stem from the National Health Program and other health programs;
• Give their opinion on requests to refer a patient for treatment or diagnostic tests outside Poland;
• give opinions and advice on tasks carried out by the Center for Medical Examinations, the Center for Postgraduate Training of Nurses and Midwives and the Center for Medical Postgraduate Training.

Source: NIL