Amid growing concerns about the health risks posed by heat stress to pregnant women, Christos Pantazis, a health policy spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the German Bundestag, has advocated for the widespread installation of air conditioning in maternity wards and increased public awareness campaigns.
Speaking to the Funke Media Group, Pantazis emphasized the seriousness with which the SPD takes the dangers of heat, particularly for expectant mothers. He stated that a combination of enhanced education, targeted infrastructure development – specifically mentioning maternity wards – and improved training for medical professionals represents a necessary and politically feasible approach.
As a physician himself, Pantazis explained that climate-controlled environments can help prevent heat stress, thereby reducing health risks such as circulatory strain and premature birth. He considers the universal provision of air conditioning in maternity wards to be highly beneficial and justifiable from a medical perspective. Generally, Pantazis added, the SPD views climate protection as intrinsically linked to public health.
He further argued that modern hospital infrastructure must include climate-adapted facilities, especially in sensitive areas like obstetrics. Pantazis noted that federal authorities are currently examining how funding for hospitals can be redirected to promote climate-friendly and equitable investments. However, he clarified that hospital investments primarily fall under the responsibility of the individual German states.
Germany has experienced a significant increase in heat days since the 1950s due to human-caused global warming, with the average now reaching 11.5 heat days per year. If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, cities like Berlin could face 20 to 35 heat days annually between 2071 and 2100. Adherence to the Paris Agreement’s climate goals could limit the number of heat days to an average of ten to sixteen per year.
