The working team comprises experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Patient's Rights Ombudsman, and representatives from social organizations. These organizations had submitted a petition signed by 16,000 individuals to the Ministry in mid-January. The petition addressed the extension of maternity leave for parents of premature babies and newborns necessitating hospitalization.

"The Ministry of Family Affairs, Labour and Social Policy is a ministry open to citizens, it is a ministry whose one of the basic roles is to care and look after Polish families, especially those who find themselves in difficult situations" – emphasised Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.

She points out that when discussing maternity leave for parents of babies born prematurely, it differs significantly from the conventional notion of maternity leave. Hence, collaborative solutions will be devised in conjunction with stakeholders to effectively meet the needs of parents and caregivers of premature and hospitalized newborns.

We will be moving towards a solution of introducing an additional maternity leave to which both the mother and the father are entitled, corresponding to the period spent in hospital, with a maximum number of weeks defined” – explains the head of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

The analyses provided guidance for advancing the implementation of the requests made by parents of prematurely born babies and those hospitalized after birth. Several EU countries have adopted similar solutions, albeit with varying regulations. However, the model of extending maternity leave accordingly could be deemed suitable to address the needs of parents of prematurely born babies and hospitalized infants. The working group deliberated on this matter, including the timetable for the legislative process, during its inaugural meeting.

We are all very determined to get this important issue right. And we are prepared for this” – emphasised Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk.

Also speaking at today's press briefing was Elżbieta Brzozowska, Vice President of the Coalition for Prematurity Foundation (Fundacja Koalicja dla Wcześniaka), who emphasised how important and necessary it was to set up the working group.

I have a strong belief that our meeting today will yield positive outcomes for both parents and caregivers of premature babies, as well as for newborns born on time who require hospitalization. Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk will become a nurturing mum for premature babies and sick newborns” – she says.