Topic:
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Delaney Parkin
Improving maternal healthcare has been a main topic in the UN Women committee for a long time. More than 800 women die each day from pregnancy and birth complications, and many are injured as well. The most common causes of maternal mortality are issues that can be resolved from quality healthcare, such as blood loss, high blood pressure, and infection. These are all problems that can be solved with access to quality healthcare, which is a problem in many areas. Almost 94% of maternal deaths occur in low-income areas that lack quality healthcare. This matters, because it impacts the lives of women and their families, around the globe. Many women are suffering from the lack of proper maternal healthcare. To help this issue, the UN Women hosted the CSW’s 2011 session on the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and the empowerment of women. The committee is working to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Germany has a very good maternal healthcare system in place right now. Their current mortality ratio is 7/100,000 live births, and their infant mortality rate is 3/100,000 live births. Germany has one of the highest ranked maternal healthcare systems in the world. Prenatal care in Germany is based on a nationwide standardized program of care for pregnant women, that includes health counseling and support, early detection of diseases and risks for the mother and child. Prenatal care in Germany includes medical and psychological assistance in all pregnancies. In Germany, mothers also receive blood testing, clinical examinations, and analysis of their medical history during pregnancy. Germany created the Consolidation of the Federal Act on Maternity Protection in 1997, which protects women in the workforce during and after their pregnancy, and helps to protect and create standards surrounding maternal healthcare. In 2017, Germany also passed the German Maternity Protection Act, which looks to help women during, and after their pregnancy.
Germany plans to help provide data and healthcare structure protocol for other countries, to help increase the quality of healthcare systems around the world. Germany plans to contribute as much information to the subject as possible, as the subject of maternal health is very important to the country. Germany will also continue to enforce its current laws regarding maternal healthcare, as well as look for more ways to improve the maternal health in their country as well as worldwide maternal health. Germany will most likely work with other countries who have advanced, high quality maternal healthcare systems. These countries may include Norway, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and France.
