CRC/C/15/Add.122 page 10 Committee remains concerned that health services in the districts and local areas continue to lack adequate resources (both financial and human). The Committee is also concerned that the survival and development of children within the State party continue to be threatened by early childhood diseases such as acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea. The Committee is also concerned about the high incidence of child and infant mortality as well as maternal mortality; the high rate of malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency and stunting; the poor situation of sanitation; and insufficient access to safe drinking water, especially in rural communities. The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce its efforts to allocate appropriate resources and develop comprehensive policies and programmes to improve the health situation of children, particularly in rural areas. In this context, the Committee recommends that the State party facilitate greater access to primary health services; reduce the incidence of maternal, child and infant mortality; prevent and combat malnutrition, especially in vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children; and increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Additionally, the Committee encourages the State party to continue its technical cooperation with respect to the IMIC initiative and, where necessary, to pursue additional avenues for cooperation and assistance for child health improvement with, inter alia, WHO and UNICEF. Environmental health 30. Concern is expressed at the increase in environmental degradation, especially as regards air pollution. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to facilitate the implementation of sustainable development programmes to prevent environmental degradation, especially as regards air pollution. Adolescent health 31. The Committee expresses concern regarding the limited availability of programmes and services and the lack of adequate data in the area of adolescent health, including teenage pregnancies; abortions; drugs and substance abuse, including alcohol and tobacco use; accidents; violence; and suicide. The Committee expresses its concern at the lack of statistical data on the situation of children with mental health concerns as well as the insufficient policies and programmes for these children. The Committee notes that while the State party has taken a tough anti-smoking stance with the introduction of strong legislation in 1991 and amendments in 1999 to control the supply of tobacco, many under-age smokers are still able to buy tobacco products. While the Committee notes that the State party has launched a Partnership Against HIV/AIDS Programme (1998) which aims, inter alia, to establish counselling and treatment centres for people living with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it remains concerned about the high and increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS and STDs. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to ensure that legislation is fully implemented and enforced, particularly as regards the use of tobacco products. The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce adolescent health policies, particularly with respect to accidents, suicide, violence and substance abuse. It is also recommended that the State party undertake a study to assess the situation of children with mental health concerns and introduce programmes to guarantee adequate care and protection for them. Additionally, it is recommended that the State party undertake further measures, including the allocation of adequate human and financial resources, to