CRC/C/BOL/CO/4
page 14
Adolescent health
55.
While welcoming the National Programme for sexual and reproductive health, and the
programme currently being elaborated by the Ministry of Education and Sports dealing with
prevention of alcoholism, tobacco use, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, the
Committee reiterates its concern at the high number of teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted
infections and the high incidence of drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse in the State party.
56.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Undertake a comprehensive study in order to understand the nature and extent
of adolescent health problems, with the full participation of adolescents, and use
this as a basis for the formulation of adolescent health policies and programmes,
with particular attention to female adolescents;
(b) Take effective measures to prevent drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse;
(c) Seek partnerships with relevant organizations to carry out awareness-raising
campaigns on, for example, the health risks for both baby and mother of teen
pregnancies, and the importance of vaccination;
(d) Promote and ensure access to reproductive health services for all adolescents,
including sex and reproductive health education in schools, community and
health facility levels;
(e) Take into account the Committee’s general comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent
health and development in the context of the Convention.
Breastfeeding
57.
While welcoming the Law No. 3460 on Breastfeeding Encouragement (2006), the
Committee is concerned at the insufficient financial and human resources for the implementation
of this Law.
58.
The Committee recommends that the State party allocate adequate financial and
human resources to the implementation and dissemination of the law to the general public,
especially women, provide training on the law to health personnel and set up a monitoring
process to ensure that the law’s objective is attained and fulfilled.
Malnutrition
59.
While welcoming the programme “Desnutricion cero”, the Committee is concerned at the
high level of chronic malnutrition among children in the State party, and that the prevalence is
much higher in rural areas and among indigenous populations.