URUGUAY

DANIEL SANTIAGO GIRALDO TRUJILLO 6

GIMNASIO CAMPESTRE SAN RAFAEL

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

RAFMUN 2024
 Committee Information

“WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION” was funded 7 of April of 1948, its director is

Tedros Adhanom, the “WHO” is in charge of global health also any type of

health problem that countries have, pandemic or diseases that affect the population.

It leads all prevention measures of health whether physically or mentally problems in

people, likewise, it is responsible for a healthy and sustainable life, preventing the spread of

diseases and health crises, furthermore in emergencies the “WHO” is in charge of directing

the population and health centers to take appropriate measures according to the problem

present in the moment, in part it has been responsible to maintain stable mental health and

of course, prevent suicide and any type of mental illness that affect society.

“WHO” have programs in schools that prevent suicide in people, also the committee have a

priority to old age or pregnancy people to attention, it also has to keep in mind that

“WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION” is charge of global issues or national crisis, but

each country depends on a different heath system according to its government.

General Information

BASIC INFORMATION:

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America, it borders to the north

with Brazil, to de west with Argentina and Andes, its coast is the Atlantic Ocean and also

the typical Uruguayan landscape is uniform, of a weakly undulating steppe. Uruguay was

funded in 25 august of 1825. The official name is “EASTERN REPUBLIC OF

URUGUAY”, its capital is “MONTEVIDEO”.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:

Located in the southern subtropical zone of the South American continent, it borders to the

north and northeast with Brazil, to the west and Southeast whit Argentina, and to the East

with the Atlantic Ocean, as mentioned before the country is located in South American

continent. With land area of “176,215 Km2”, water covers approximately “1.5%” of the

territory of Uruguay. However, it is important note that this percentage may vary slightly

depending on factors such as fluctuations in water body levels due to the season and other

environmental changes

DEMOGRAPHICS:

Uruguay have 3.426.260 inhabitants, its population density the country has 19 inhabitants

per Km2, Uruguay have many principal cities that cities was Montevideo, Salto, Ciudad De

La Costa, Paysandú and Rivera this city borders with Brazil, the demonym of Uruguay

used to refer to people originating from Uruguay is “URUGUAYAN” or “URUGUAYA”.

Life expectancy in Uruguay has been gradually increasing in recent decades, reflecting in

medical care, living conditions and other health-related factors. According to data from

“WHO”, expectancy at birth in Uruguay is around 77 years for men and approximately 83

years for woman.

INFANT MORTALITY:

The infant mortality rate in Uruguay according to the latest record until 2022 is in the range

of around 7 to 8 deaths per 1.000 live births.

BIRTH RATE:

The birth rate in Uruguay according to the last update in 2022 is approximately 13 to 14

births per 1.000 inhabitants.

MORTALITY RATE:

Regarding the general mortality rate adjusted by age, in 2019 it was 5.5 per 1,000

inhabitants, which implies a decrease of 14.8% compared to 2000 (6.4 deaths per 1,000

inhabitants).

By categorizing deaths into three main groups, it is observed that in 2019 the age-adjusted

mortality rate from communicable diseases was 40.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (51.6 per

100,000 in men and 31.9 per 100,000 in women), while the age-adjusted mortality rate due

to non-communicable diseases amounted to 445.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (591.6 per

100,000 in men and 347.0 per 100,000 in women). For its part, the age-adjusted mortality

rate due to external causes was 59.5 per 100,000 inhabitants (94.3 per 100,000 in men and

27.1 per 100,000 in women), in which case accidents of land transportation (13.8 per

100,000 inhabitants), homicides (8.6 per 100,000 inhabitants) and suicides (18.8 per

100,000 inhabitants). In 2000, the percentage distribution of causes was 85.6% for non-

communicable diseases, 7.3% for communicable diseases and 7.1% for external causes,

while in 2019 the percentages were 85. .5%, 7.2%, and 7.3%, respectively.
POPULATION GROWTH:

Average annual increase in the number of people during the period considered per 100

people, these are the statistics per year – 0,1 % (2021), The United Nations (UN) estimates

that by 2023 it will be 0.91 percent annually, when at the beginning of this century it was

1.33, which means that the population is increasing, but more slowly. This year alone it is

estimated that approximately 134 million babies will be born, that is, 4.3 every second.

MAIN DEMOGRAPHIC PROBLEMS:

Population aging: Uruguay faces a demographic aging process due to a decrease in birth

rates and an increase in life expectancy.

Low birth rate: The fertility rate in Uruguay has been declining in recent decades, which

may lead to a decline in the population.

Emigration: While Uruguay has historically experienced high levels of emigration,

especially to countries such as Argentina and Spain, in recent years there has been an

increase in immigration.

Regional inequalities: Are demographic differences between urban and rural areas, as

well as between regions of the country. This can affect access to basic services,

employment opportunities and quality of life.

Urbanization: The urbanization process continues in Uruguay, with significant population

growth in the cities. This can lead to problems related to urban congestion, housing,

transportation and natural resource management.

Health and chronic diseases: As in many countries, Uruguay faces challenges in terms of

public health, including the increase in chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity,

diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Access to education and employment: Uruguay has made significant progress in terms

of access to education, challenges persist in the quality of education and equity in access.

HEALTH:

NUMBER OF HOSPITALS:

Uruguay had a total of 105 hospitals throughout the country. These hospitals comprise a

mix of public and private hospitals, as well as different types of healthcare facilities ranging

from general hospitals to hospitals specializing in specific areas of medicine. It must be

considered that of the 105 mentioned, 56 are public, 48 private and one university.

NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS:

According to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, Uruguay

had approximately 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants.

ICU:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICUs in Uruguay have played a crucial role in the

treatment of seriously ill patients. The government and health authorities have worked to

increase the capacity of these units, ensuring the availability of beds, medical equipment,

supplies and trained personnel to handle the growing demand for intensive care.

ICUs in Uruguay are used to treat a variety of other serious medical conditions, such as

severe traumatic injuries, acute heart disease, stroke, among others.

The location and availability of ICUs may vary depending on the region and the capacity of

hospitals and health centers. Larger medical centers typically have larger, better-equipped

intensive care units, while in less populated areas, ICU bed availability may be limited.

MAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS:

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs): As in many other countries, chronic non-

communicable diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and

obesity, are a significant concern in Uruguay. These conditions are a significant burden on

the health system and can have a significant impact on the population's quality of life.

Smoking: Although Uruguay has implemented strict tobacco control policies, tobacco

consumption remains a public health problem. Smoking is linked to a number of serious

diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease and chronic respiratory diseases.

Alcoholism and drug use: Alcohol and drug abuse is another health problem in Uruguay.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a number of health problems, including liver

disease, mental disorders, and alcohol-related accidents. The consumption of these

substances affect physically and mentally.

Mental health: Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and stress-related

disorders, are a growing concern in Uruguay. Lack of access to adequate mental health

services

Infectious diseases: Although Uruguay has been successful in controlling many infectious

diseases, challenges still exist, such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections.

Access to health services: Although Uruguay has a universal health system, access to

quality health services can be unequal.

HEALTH PERSONAL:

In Uruguay there are 5.05 doctors per thousand inhabitants according to a report from the

World Health Organization that places Uruguay in seventh place worldwide.

ECONOMY:

DISTRIBUTION OF GDP BY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY:

The distribution of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by sectors of the economy in Uruguay

may vary slightly from year to year, but in general terms, a typical distribution can be

provided based on recent data. In Uruguay, the main sectors that contribute to GDP was:

Services Sector: This sector includes a variety of economic activities such as commerce,

tourism, transportation, communications, financial services, among others. In Uruguay, the

services sector usually represents a significant part of GDP.

Agricultural and Livestock Sector: Agriculture and livestock have historically been

important sectors in the Uruguayan economy, with the production of products such as beef,

soy, milk and cereals.

Industrial Sector: This sector was manufacturing, the production of goods, construction,

among others. In Uruguay, industry also plays an important role in the economy, with

subsectors such as food production, textiles, chemicals, and the automotive industry, among

others.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:

In December 2023, the point estimate of the unemployment rate in Uruguay was 7.8%,

showing a reduction of 0.1 pp. in the year-on-year comparison. The activity rate stood at

63.8%, showing an increase of 1.1 pp. compared to the value of December 2022, while the

employment rate reached 58.9%, presenting an increase of 1.2 pp compared to the same

period.

MAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS / MAIN INDUSTRIES:

Uruguay is known for having an economy based on agriculture and livestock, being one of
the main food producers in Latin America. Here we present some of the main agricultural
products and industries in Uruguay:

Main agricultural products:

Soybeans: Uruguay is one of the main soybean producers on the continent

Wheat: Wheat is an important crop in Uruguay, although its production can vary

depending on climatic conditions.

Rice: Uruguay is known for its high-quality rice production.

Citrus fruits: Including oranges, tangerines and lemons.

Meats: The production of bovine meat and sheep are significant in Uruguay.

Milk and dairy products: Uruguay is one of the main milk producers in the region.

Main industries:

Livestock: Livestock is a fundamental industry in Uruguay, with significant

production of beef and sheep, as well as dairy products.

Agriculture: In addition to livestock, agriculture is a key industry in Uruguay, with

emphasis on the production of crops such as soybeans, wheat and rice.

Tourism: Although it is not an industry based on the production of goods, tourism is

an important part of the Uruguayan economy, especially in cities such as Montevideo and

Punta del Este.

Forestry: The forestry industry has been growing in importance in recent years, with tree

plantations such as eucalyptus and pine for the production of wood and cellulose.

Fishing: Uruguay has a fishing that includes the capture and processing of fish and

shellfish for local consumption and export.

MAIN TRADE PARTNERS:

Uruguay's main partners are

Brazil: It is Uruguay's main trading partner due to geographical proximity and the

preferential trade agreements.

Argentina: Uruguay shares a long border with Argentina and maintains a close commercial

relationship with this country. Trade exchanges include agricultural, manufactured and

energy products.

China: In recent years, China has emerged as an important trading partner for Uruguay.

Uruguayan exports to China mainly include agricultural products, such as soybeans, beef

and cellulose.

United States: Although trade relations with the United States are not as extensive as with

regional partners, they are still important for Uruguay.

.
MAIN EXPORTS AND IMPORTS

Exports:

Agricultural products, such as beef, soy, rice and dairy.

Forest products, such as wood and cellulose.

Dairy products and derivatives.

Leather and leather products.

Textile products and clothing.

Chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

Software and services related to information technology.

Renewable energy, especially wind energy.

Imports:

Industrial machinery and equipment.

Manufactured products, such as vehicles, appliances, and electronics.

Fuels and petroleum products.

Chemicals and plastics.

Pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Processed foods and food products.

Textile products and clothing.

Raw materials for the manufacturing industry.

MAIN ECONOMIC PROBLEMS:

Fiscal challenges: Uruguay faced fiscal challenges, such as the need to reduce the fiscal

deficit and control public spending to maintain macroeconomic stability.

Unemployment and underemployment: Despite having a relatively low unemployment

rate

compared to other countries in the region, unemployment and underemployment remained

major problems, especially among young people and certain vulnerable groups.

Competitiveness: Uruguay's economic competitiveness was affected by several factors,

including high labor costs, lack of adequate infrastructure, and bureaucracy in commercial

procedures.

Trade deficit: Uruguay face a persistent trade deficit, which meant it imported more than it

exported. This could put pressure on the country's balance of payments and external

position.

Dependence on commodities: The Uruguayan economy was highly exposed to the

volatility

of international prices of commodities, such as meat, soy and cellulose. This could

negatively affect the country's export earnings and trade balance.

Challenges in the agricultural sector: Despite being an important economic driver, the

agricultural sector faced challenges such as climate variability, pressure on natural

resources and the need to adopt more sustainable practices.

Financial inclusion: Although Uruguay had a solid financial system, challenges still
existed

in terms of financial inclusion, especially in rural areas and among certain sectors of the
population.

These economic problems were the subject of attention by the Uruguayan government and

other relevant actors, and were being addressed through policies and measures aimed at

promoting sustainable economic growth, macroeconomic stability and social equity.

POLITICAL ASPECTS:

TYPE OF GOBERMENT:

Uruguay has a democratic government system, where power is distributed among the three

powers of the State: Executive, Legislative and Judicial, with periodic elections every 5

years and a clear division of functions and responsibilities, thus avoiding confusion and

mismanagement of power in the government.

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION:

The government of Uruguay is organized according to its Constitution, which establishes a

republican, democratic and representative system.

Executive Branch: The Executive Branch is headed by the President of the Republic. The

president is the head of State and government, and is responsible for the general

administration of the country. Along with the president, the Executive Branch is made up of

a cabinet of ministers, appointed by the president, who supervise the different ministries

and areas of government.

Legislative Power: The Legislative Power falls on the General Assembly, which is a

bicameral body composed of two chambers:

Chamber of Senators: Made up of 30 members, representing the different departments of

the country. Senators are elected by popular vote for five-year terms.

Chamber of Representatives: Have 99 representatives, also elected by popular vote,

with proportional representation according to the population of each department. The

mandate of the representatives is also five years.

Judicial Branch: The Judicial Branch is independent and is made up of a series of courts

and judges responsible for administering justice. Among the judicial bodies are the

Supreme Court of Justice, the courts of appeals and the courts of first instance, among

others.

Court of Accounts: It is an autonomous body in charge of supervising the financial

management of the State and public institutions.

In addition to these three fundamental powers of the State, Uruguay has other autonomous

bodies and organizations that perform specific functions, such as the Electoral Court (in

charge of organizing and supervising elections), the Attorney General's Office (responsible

for criminal prosecution) and the National Drug Board (dedicated to the coordination of

policies related to drug use).

ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE:

In Uruguay, the Head of State and the Head of Government are the same person: the

President of the Republic. This position is held by the president, . The president is the

leader of both the State and the government, performing executive and representative

functions.
As Head of State, the president represents Uruguay at the national and international level.

He is responsible for the country's foreign relations, national defense and promoting the

nation's interests.

As Head of Government, the president is primarily responsible for the administration of the

country. He heads the Executive Branch, which includes formulating and implementing

policies, supervising ministries, and managing the day-to-day affairs of the government.

Therefore, in Uruguay, the president simultaneously exercises the roles of Head of State

and Head of Government, concentrating in his person the executive and representative

functions of the State.

POLITICAL PARTY CURRENTLY IN THE POWER:

Is “NATIONAL PARTY” also known as “WHITE PARTY”.

MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS:

Organization of American States (OAS)

Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR)

Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)

Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

These are some of the international political organizations in which Uruguay participates as

a member.
MAIN ALIATED AND ADVERSARY COUNTRIES:

ALIATED COUNTRIES:

Argentina, Brazil, United States and European Union

ADVERSARY COUNTRIES:

Argentina: Despite being a close ally, Uruguay has experienced tensions with Argentina in

the past due to territorial disputes, such as the controversy over the installation of a pulp

mill in the Uruguay River.

Brazil: While Uruguay maintains close relations with Brazil in many aspects, such as trade

and regional cooperation, there may also be occasional tensions due to differences in trade

policies or minor border disputes.

Venezuela: While Uruguay has maintained a neutral position in Venezuela's political crisis

the Uruguayan government has expressed concerns about the situation in the South

American country.

Relationships Whit The Committee

Uruguay's relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) has historically been
close and collaborative. Uruguay has worked closely with the WHO in a variety of areas
related to public health and the promotion of well-being.

Collaboration on health policies: Uruguay has actively participated in WHO initiatives to

address public health problems at the global, regional and national levels. This includes

implementing health policies that are aligned with WHO recommendations and

participating in global health campaigns.

Support for WHO programs: Uruguay has supported specific programs and campaigns

led by the WHO, such as those related to the prevention and control of communicable

diseases, the promotion of mental health and well-being, as well as the improvement of

health infrastructure. in the country.

Technical assistance and training: Uruguay have received technical assistance from

WHO in various aspects, such as health emergency management, epidemiological

surveillance, health promotion and disease prevention.

Participation in meetings and conferences: Uruguay has been an active participant in

WHO meetings and conferences, where it has contributed its experience and knowledge on

public health issues and has collaborated with other member countries to address common

challenges.

In summary, the relationship between Uruguay and the WHO is based on strong and

continuous cooperation to promote the health and well-being of the Uruguayan population,

as well as contribute to global efforts to address public health challenges around the world.

Specific Focus Of The Committee

The World Health Organization (WHO) takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the

problem of suicide. It recognizes that suicide is a multifaceted phenomenon that involves a

combination of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors. Here is a summary of

the WHO's general approach to suicide:

Prevention: The WHO emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention as a public health

priority. Recognizes that suicide prevention requires interventions at multiple levels,

including the identification and treatment of mental disorders, reducing access to lethal

means, promoting life skills and resilience, and crisis intervention.

Evidence-based action: WHO promotes the implementation of suicide prevention

programs based on scientific evidence. This involves collecting and analyzing data on

suicides and risk factors, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of preventive interventions.

Public health approach: WHO approaches suicide from a public health perspective,

recognizing that it is a problem that affects communities as a whole. This involves working

collaboratively with governments, non-governmental organizations, health professionals,

educators, media and other actors to develop and implement comprehensive suicide

prevention strategies.

Reducing stigma: WHO advocates for reducing mental disorders

and suicide, as stigma can act as a barrier to seeking help and treatment. Promotes public

awareness and education about mental health and suicide to foster an environment where

people feel comfortable seeking support.

Support for survivors: WHO recognizes the importance of providing support and care to

those who have lost loved ones to suicide, as well as people who have survived suicide

attempts. This includes access to mental health services, support groups, and other helpful

resources.
 Position Paper

Uruguay has developed policies and action plans in the field of mental health that include

specific measures for suicide prevention. It has also carried out public awareness and

education campaigns on suicide and mental health, among other capacities, for health

professionals, including physicians, psychologists and social workers, in the early

detection, assessment and management of suicide risk as well as established helplines and

crisis intervention services for people at risk of suicide. These services provide emotional

support, counseling and referral to additional resources, such as mental health services and

hospitals. In addition, Uruguay has carried out research and evaluations to better understand

the risk factors and causes of suicide in the country and to conclude Uruguay has worked in

collaboration with various organizations and sectors, including government, non-

governmental organizations, academic institutions and civil society, to address suicide in a

comprehensive and coordinated manner.

these are some of the strategies implemented by Uruguay to prevent suicide in young

people: mental health policies, education and training, mental health promotion,

helplines and support services research and monitoring and comprehensive approach,

social inequality in Uruguay can be magnified due to a series of structural, economic,

political and cultural factors such as:

distribution of wealth, access to education, access to medical care, labor market, gender and

ethnicity, access to housing and public policies.

Uruguay has shown increasing interest in addressing the issue of suicide in recent years,

recognizing it as an important public health problem that requires attention and action. Here

are some ways in which Uruguay has valued and addressed this issue:

research and data, awareness and prevention, policies and strategy and international rest.
In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, an increase was recorded that reached a value of 21.6

that continued in 2022, reaching 23.2 deaths by suicide per 100,000 inhabitants, this is a

total of 823 deaths in the year.

REFERENCES:

General Information:

https://chat.openai.com/

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demograf%C3%ADa_de_Uruguay

https://oig.cepal.org/es/paises/22/system

https://www.who.int/es

https://www.paho.org/es

https://chat.openai.com/c/5f3f1a21-35ad-4b6e-a8da-880698d80c34

https://ladiaria.com.uy/economia/articulo/2021/10/principal-problema-para-los-
uruguayos-es-la-economia-en-particular-la-falta-de-empleo-segun-encuesta-de-cifra/
#:~:text=52%25%20de%20las%20respuestas%20prioriz%C3%B3,6%25%20precios
%20altos%20y%20pobreza.&text=El%20principal%20problema%20del%20pa
%C3%ADs,divulgada%20este%20martes%20en%20Telemundo.

Specific Focus:

https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2022-09-10/uruguay-ante-el-desafio-de-frenar-los-
suicidios.html

file:///Users/pro/Downloads/informe-final-salud-mental%20(2).pdf