Mateusz Hen faces scrutiny over hospital role and criminal convictions

Mateusz Hen, a surgeon and deputy director of the Pomnik Chrztu Polski Hospital in Gniezno, is facing scrutiny following reports regarding his criminal record and restrictions on treating children. Under the provisions of the “lex Kamilek” law, which aims to protect minors, individuals with final convictions for certain crimes against life and health are prohibited from working with children.

Reports indicate that Hen was convicted in 2025 for the assault of his ex-wife’s partner, an incident involving threats of death. Due to these legal restrictions, pediatric patients requiring surgical consultation on days when Hen is on duty at the Emergency Department are reportedly being transported to other medical facilities.

In a statement, Hen addressed the allegations, asserting that while he has faced difficult times and taken responsibility for past mistakes, he does not have a legally binding ban on treating children. He criticized media portrayals as inaccurate and claimed that journalists did not seek his direct version of events before publication.