CRC/C/BTN/CO/2
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(b)
Undertake a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study to assess the
scope of adolescent health problems including mental health issues;
(c)
Take into account the Committee’s general comment No. 4 (2003) on
adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child..
Standard of living
56.
The Committee welcomes the improved access to safe drinking water and
basic sanitation and notes that the objective of the Ninth Five Year National
Development Plan was to improve the poor living conditions of large segments of the
population, in particular in rural areas and to provide the entire population with access
to safe drinking water, sanitation and health services. The Committee however is
concerned about the lack of data on the percentage of the population which has access
to these basic provisions.
57.
The Committee recommends that, in accordance with articles 4 and 27 of
the Convention, the State party improve its coordination and reinforce its efforts
to allocate adequate human and financial resources to provide support and
material assistance, with a particular focus on the most marginalized and
disadvantaged families, and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate
standard of living. In this regard, the State party is furthermore encouraged to
seek international cooperation and assistance.
HIV/AIDS
58.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s policy on providing free antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, it notes the relatively low HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
and that State party is formulating a comprehensive prevention policy. However, the
Committee is concerned that the reported cases of HIV are increasing; including
through mother-to-child transmission and that infected children may face
stigmatization. The Committee is also concerned over the low use of condoms.
59.
The Committee recommends that the State party, while taking into
account the Committee’s general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the
rights of the child and the international guidelines on HIV/AIDS and human
rights by OHCHR and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
(2006):
(a) Strengthen its preventive efforts by conducting campaigns and
programmes in order to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS including on
prevention methods and the use of contraceptives;
(b) Strengthen measures to prevent mother to child transmission;
(c) Provide psycho-social support to HIV/AIDS infected and affected
children and their families as well as advocacy on early
interventions;