Message by Minister of Health Valentina Prevolnik Rupel on World Health Day 2025

Advances in natal care, paediatrics, vaccination and prevention programmes have considerably improved the survival rate of mothers and children. These achievements have notably reduced the neonatal and maternal death rates in Slovenia and elsewhere in the world, ensuring that an increasing number of children have a chance to grow up healthy and safe.

Slovenia ranks among the countries with the lowest maternal mortality in the world. The range of prenatal diagnostic tests is continuously being expanded to enable the early detection of developmental risks. Slovenia is also one of the European countries with the lowest stillbirth and neonatal death rates. This achievement reflects the high quality of healthcare provided to mothers, foetuses and newborns.

Health during pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood has a significant impact on health in adulthood. Women who experience mental distress during pregnancy or after childbirth are a particularly vulnerable group, which needs identification, direction, support and treatment. This is why the Resolution on the National Mental Health Programme 2018–2028 pays special attention to this area.

Slovenia offers programmes focusing on mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth. Screening during pregnancy is carried out by specially trained and qualified members of gynaecological teams. After childbirth, support continues with home visits by community nurses. Special attention is devoted to the identification and treatment of domestic violence, which greatly affects the well-being of mothers and children. Slovenia is building a system that recognises both mental and social aspects of health.

In legislation, it supports the right to a decent maternity leave, safe working environment and access to all reproductive health rights. Together with other European countries, Slovenia strives to ensure that the right to health, particularly for children, becomes a guiding principle of every policy.

Our shared duty is to create an environment in which children have a safe and healthy start in life. Only in this way can we build a society that is healthy, just and resilient to future challenges. World Health Day 2025 is an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to life, justice and solidarity. Healthy beginnings are not only a noble aspiration – they are the key to a better future. For every child. For every mother. For all of us.