CRC/C/15/Add.124
page 9
43.
The Committee recommends that the State party take legislative measures to
prohibit all forms of physical and mental violence, including corporal punishment, within
the family, the schools and care institutions. The Committee further recommends that the
State party, through, for example, public awareness campaigns, promote positive,
non-violent forms of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment, especially in
families, the schools and care institutions.
6. Basic health and welfare
Right to health and access to health services
44.
The Committee notes with appreciation the elaboration of a National Health Policy to the
year 2010 with the support of WHO and the World Bank, which includes the enhancement of the
health of mothers and children as one of its priorities. However, the Committee is concerned
about the health situation of children which continues to be affected by the poor economic
situation within the State party. In particular, it notes the limited access to and quality of health
services, particularly among children living in conflict zones as well as in the mountainous
regions; the increasing cost of basic health care of which the State party covers only
15-20 per cent; the inadequate allocation of funding for health; the high maternal, child and
infant mortality rates; the increasing malnutrition rate; and the deteriorating situation of
sanitation and safe drinking water supplies. While the Committee notes that the State party is
receiving technical assistance for the immunization campaign, it is concerned that vaccines
continue to be unavailable and that negative social attitudes towards vaccinations have resulted
in a resurgence of preventable diseases such as diphtheria.
45.
The Committee recommends that the State party allocate appropriate resources for
the implementation of the National Health Policy and, where appropriate, develop
additional policies and programmes to improve the health situation of children, especially
those living in mountainous regions and conflict zones; facilitate greater access to and
quality of primary health services; ensure the availability of vaccines; 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 cooperation with respect to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses initiative.
Adolescent health
46.
The Committee expresses its concern with respect to the limited availability of
programmes and services and the lack of adequate disaggregated data in the area of adolescent
health, including teenage pregnancy, abortion, HIV/AIDS and STDs, alcohol, drug and
substance abuse, including tobacco use, violence and mental health.
47.
The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts in promoting
adolescent health policies and child-friendly counselling services as well as strengthening
reproductive health education, including the promotion of acceptance by men of the use of
contraceptives. The Committee suggests that a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study
be undertaken to ascertain the scope of adolescent health problems, including the special