CRC/C/ROM/CO/4
page 16
Health and health services
62.
The Committee, while welcoming the fact that Law No. 272/2004 guarantees the access
to medical and recovery services and medication free of charge for all children, the costs of
which are born by the National Health Insurance Fund, is concerned that medication granted
with the assistance of this fund to children with chronic diseases is sometimes discontinued.
Furthermore, despite the efforts made by the State party to tackle inequalities in access to health
services, this remains a problem, especially in rural areas, as well as for the Roma, as has been
noted by the Special Rapporteur Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of
the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (E/CN.4/2005/51/Add.4). The
Committee is concerned that the low number of family doctors in the State party may lead to the
neglect of certain regions and segments of the population.
63.
The Committee notes that despite the adoption, in 2001, of the National Programme for
Women’s and Children’s Health and other efforts, high rates of infant and under-5 mortality
persist. With respect to infant health and early childhood development, the Committee is
concerned that infant formula is intensively advertised, while there is a very low rate of
exclusive breastfeeding continuing up to the first 6 months from birth. The Committee is
concerned about the inadequate conditions in different health facilities in rural areas, especially
in deprived sub-regions.
64.
The Committee recommends that inequalities in access to health services are
addressed through a coordinated approach across all government departments and greater
coordination between health policies and those aimed at reducing income inequality and
poverty. The Committee, in particular recommends that the State party improve sanitation
and quality of care in health facilities (out patient clinics, hospitals) in deprived areas.
65.
The Committee further recommends that the State party increase efforts to improve
the health of infants and young children, particularly through paying more attention to
pre-natal and postnatal care, increasing the number of baby-friendly hospitals and
specially trained social workers in hospitals, setting up of a home visitation service aiming
to prevent abandonment, neglect and abuse, as well as the promotion and awareness
raising on the benefits of breastfeeding and the adoption of the International Code for
Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
Mental health
66.
The Committee is concerned that, despite various initiatives taken in this respect, care
and living conditions of mentally ill patients in institutions, including children, has not improved.
The Committee is in particular concerned that there are no psychiatric departments for children
with mental disabilities and that such children are placed in adult institutions where they are not
supervised, they are sedated and at risk of being aggressed and intimidated by adult patients. The
Committee is further concerned at suicides and violent behaviour among children and
adolescents and the lack of prevention programmes in this respect.
67.
The Committee recommends that the State party develop a comprehensive mental
health policy, including, mental health promotion, prevention of suicidal and violent
behavior, outpatient day care and inpatient services for adolescents with mental health