Healthcare workers protest maternity ward closure outside Scripps Health event [Video]

CORONADO, Calif. (KGTV) — Healthcare workers protested the closure of Scripps Mercy Hospital’s maternity ward in Chula Vista Saturday afternoon.

“Babies over profits! Moms over profits!” they chanted. The demonstrators gathered outside the Hotel Del Coronado, over 20 minutes away from the hospital.

“This afternoon Scripps Mercy Foundation is having their Mercy Ball for donors,” Dr. Susanna Chou said. “We’ve tried to talk to Scripps corporate and haven’t really gotten anywhere. We’re hoping to appeal directly to the donors.”

Chou is helping to lead the charge in keeping the maternity ward in the South Bay.

Scripps Health gave its 90-day notice to consolidate the ward with its hospital in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego last month.

“It’s a population that is disproportionately low income, women of color, many of whom don’t have access to a private car or may have difficulty with being able to travel long distances to get the maternity care and the new newborn care that they need,” Chou said.

Chou believes …