CRC/C/15/Add.233
page 9
6. Basic health and welfare
Children with disabilities
41.
The Committee welcomes the establishment of the National Council for Comprehensive
Care of Disabled Minors and the executive decree establishing regulations for the inclusive
education of individuals with special education needs. But it expresses concern about the lack of
detailed statistical information, and that the children with disabilities living in indigenous rural
areas do not have adequate access to services such as health and education. The Committee is
also concerned at the lack of information on the integration of children with disabilities in
different sectors such as education, sports and socio-cultural activities.
42.
The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account the
United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and the recommendations adopted by the
Committee at its day of general discussion on the rights of children with disabilities (see
CRC/C/69), ensure adequate collection of statistical information, pay special attention to
children with disabilities in rural and indigenous areas and take all necessary measures to
integrate children with disabilities in mainstream schools, social/cultural activities and
sports.
Health and health services
43.
The Committee welcomes the considerable reduction in levels of child mortality and the
eradication of several communicable diseases, but is concerned that this progress has not been
accompanied by a similar reduction in the rate of maternal mortality and that there is a
significant discrepancy in the mortality indicators between urban and rural areas. The
Committee is concerned that breastfeeding is not widely used.
44.
The Committee strongly recommends that the State party continue to strengthen its
efforts in health reform, in particular with regard to primary health care, ensuring
accessibility of quality health care in all areas in the country, including far-reaching
programmes, training of local villagers in safe midwifery and providing adequate prenatal
care. The Committee further recommends that the State party encourage exclusive
breastfeeding for six months after birth, with the addition of an appropriate infant diet
thereafter.
Adolescent health
45.
While noting the legislation (e.g. Law 29 on the health and education of pregnant
teenagers, 2002) on the protection of pregnant teenagers and the programme on responsible
parents, the Committee is concerned at the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies and STIs and
at the lack of significant measures taken to prevent these problems. The Committee is further
concerned at the lack of adequate programmes for reproductive health, sex education, family
planning and mental health.