KUALA LUMPUR: In an Asian first, Malaysia will host the Global Women Deliver Conference 2013, the third such event, which focuses on reducing maternal mortality and achieving access to reproductive health for women. The conference is expected to attract 5,000 delegates and generate an estimated RM47.4 million in economic impact. The conference has been held in London and Washington previously. Malaysia was chosen to be the host country “due to its status as a fast-growing democratic and liberal progressive country with stability and sound socio economic and developmental policies,” said Datuk Dr Raj Karim, a consultant of Women Deliver. Women Deliver, which has its headquarters in New York, is a global advocacy organisation which brings together voices from around the world to call for action to improve the health and well-being of girls and women. It will organise the conference with the support of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). Raj said Malaysia had been noted for its efforts to improve women's health and reduce maternal mortality as a national initiative and a national priority long before international agencies called for attention to lower maternal mortality. She said the selection of Malaysia as the venue of the conference was based on the government's commitment to improve the health of the people. “Malaysia is internationally recognised for its comprehensive and well-planned health care system reaching out to remote rural populations and providing free or affordable health care across all ages. “In fact, Malaysia has one of the best primary health care service delivery systems in the region or even globally,” she said.
