Region Stockholm has decided to allocate twelve million kronor of taxpayers’ money to the project in 2026—two million more than last year.
The role of a so-called cultural doula is to provide support to foreign-born women who do not speak Swedish and who need help navigating the Swedish healthcare system. The doula accompanies the woman throughout her pregnancy and is also there to give support during the initial period of motherhood.
According to the National Board of Health and Welfare, the risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy and childbirth is higher for foreign-born women compared to those born in Sweden. In Stockholm County, foreign-born women account for about one third of all childbirths.
Currently, Region Stockholm has around 40 cultural doulas offering support in 27 different languages. Last year, 865 immigrant women received help in this way.
Why require people to actually learn Swedish when taxpayers can buy them a personal VIP guide in 27 different languages? ????
One must nevertheless admire the Swedish system’s bottomless generosity. You can move here, completely ignore the language, and shut out the surrounding… pic.twitter.com/l5znjPB6f0
— HWL (@HWLinvest) July 9, 2026
Great Need
According to operations manager Ulrica Askelöf, demand exceeds supply and the need for cultural doulas is great.
– Last year, we were forced to decline 20 percent of all requests we received from midwifery clinics, she told public television.
The fact that the project is now becoming a permanent part of the capital’s healthcare offering is something she says she has fought for over ten years and welcomes.
Region Stockholm
Region Stockholm is governed by the Social Democrats, the Green Party, and the Centre Party. The trio forms the ruling coalition.
They also have an organized collaboration with the Left Party, which acts as a supporting party, and together with the coalition forms a majority in the regional council.
Region Stockholm is responsible for matters such as healthcare, public transport, regional development, as well as certain cultural activities and dental care.