Topic:
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Grace Hamel
Country: Argentina
Delegate: Grace Hamel
School: Williamston High School
Committee: WHO (ECOSOC)
Topic: Maternal Mortality
Although improvements have been made, maternal mortality continues to be an issue in modern-day healthcare and it remains a relevant subject especially in developed and developing countries. As of 2023, every day, over 700 women passed away as a result of preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The majority of these deaths could have been prevented as they are often a consequence of inadequate care during pregnancy and childbirth and an inequality in access to quality healthcare between the rich and poor. This gap is only growing, and as it grows, the maternal mortality issue will remain prominent. As we continue to advance our healthcare services, it is urgent that we prioritize addressing this issue of maternal mortality and do everything in our ability to limit these preventable deaths.
Argentina has put great emphasis on the issue of maternal mortality as it has been an issue in its past and though great improvements have been made, it is still an important issue that they believe must be treated with urgency. In the year 2000, Argentina experienced approximately 80 deaths for every 100,000 live births. This places their maternal mortality ratio below that of countries considered to have high maternal mortality, but this ratio is elevated when it is compared to other national statistics. By the year 2023, Argentina decreased that ratio to an estimated 33 deaths for every 100,000 live births. This is a significant improvement, attributed mainly to their Federal Health Plan which conducted studies to readdress the maternal mortality issue by analyzing the relationship between social aspects and health services, adjusting the monitoring process, and making suggestions for improvement.
Argentina suggests addressing the issue of maternal mortality by first targeting the quality of public health services. This is seen in Argentina’s Nacer/Sumar Plan which seeks to improve the quality of public health services by providing support to the uninsured population. The plan was created to address gaps in coverage across the public sector. One of the main targets of this plan is to improve maternal health specifically. Argentina believes that this can be achieved through the provision of healthcare centers with the appropriate medical equipment to enhance care. Argentina hopes that these methods can be used to increase access and improve the quality of maternal, prenatal, and childbirth care. In order for this to be achieved, Argentina would seek support from an outside source such as the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization, or the United Nations Population Fund. Argentina would seek to ally with the United States, Brazil, and Chile on this issue.
Works Cited
“Argentina.” World Bank Group, 2023, https://genderdata.worldbank.org/en/economies/argentina. Accessed 19 November 2025.
Figar, Silvana, et al. “Reduction of Maternal Mortality: Intercultural Care for Pregnancy and Childbirth at the Hospital of Tartagal, Salta, Argentina.” medRxiv, 2025, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.07.25326956v1.full. Accessed 19 November 2025.
“A healthcare revolution in Argentina.” World Bank, 11 December 2024, https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2024/12/11/salud-de-calidad-en-argentina-plan-nacer. Accessed 19 November 2025.
“Maternal mortality.” World Health Organization (WHO), 7 April 2025, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality. Accessed 19 November 2025.
Ramos, Silvina, et al. “A comprehensive assessment of maternal deaths in Argentina: translating multicentre collaborative research into action.” National Library of Medicine, 2007, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2636380/. Accessed 19 November 2025.
Silva, Humberto, et al. “Plan Nacer/Programa SUMAR: Measurement to ensure effective universal health coverage.” PHCPI, 2022, https://www.improvingphc.org/plan-nacerprograma-sumar-measurement-ensure-effective-universal-health-coverage-0. Accessed 19 November 2025.
“Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-2023: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division.” United Nations Population Fund, https://www.unfpa.org/publications/trends-maternal-mortality-2000-2023. Accessed 19 November 2025.
