Mesquite’s lone hospital has announced plans to stop providing labor and delivery or nursery services as of October 1, citing decreased demand. 

The Desert Valley Times reports that Mesa View Regional Hospital will continue to offer most medical services pertaining to prenatal and postpartum care, and it will remain equipped to handle obstetric emergencies. 

The closest hospitals to Mesquite offering labor and delivery will now be 42 miles away in St. George or about 80 miles away in Las Vegas. 

Mesa View said fewer births means less need for birth services.

The hospital said it had 63 deliveries in 2017, compared with 236 in 2008, a drop of almost 74 percent. 

The Mesquite City Council will address the issue during its regular meeting this afternoon.