CRC/C/GTM/CO/3-4
geographical and cultural barriers hinder access to primary care services, contributing to the
persistently high levels of maternal and child mortality.
71. The Committee recommends that the State party take all the necessary
measures to increase allocation of resources and develop comprehensive services
focused on primary care, in order to ensure access to high quality health services and
medicines in a culturally sensitive manner, including in rural areas.
Breastfeeding
72. The Committee is concerned that health professionals have insufficient
understanding of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, including in the case of
children of HIV-positive mothers. The Committee is also concerned that the baby-friendly
hospital initiative is integrated only in public hospitals, and that private hospitals violate the
International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
73. The Committee recommends that the State party provide training on
breastfeeding promotion and support by well qualified and sensitized personnel. It
further recommends effective monitoring of implementation of the Code and that the
State party draw up appropriate sanctions in case of breaches of the code.
Adolescent health
74. The Committee is concerned at the lack of adolescent health programmes with a
comprehensive approach allowing the State party to take preventive measures, in particular
regarding HIV/AIDS and sexual health. While the Committee takes note of the National
Reproductive Health Programme (2005), it is concerned at the high rate of teenage
pregnancies in the State party, especially among the indigenous and rural populations. The
Committee regrets that confidential HIV tests are not guaranteed to adolescents.
75. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the entry into force of
the Act on Universal and Equitable Access to Family Planning Services and their
integration in the national reproductive health programme, and strengthen family
planning programmes to ensure that adolescents have access to contraceptives. The
Committee further recommends that HIV tests be guaranteed to adolescents. It also
brings to the State party’s attention its general comment No. 4 on adolescent health
(2003), as well as the recommendation made by the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women in 2009 (CEDAW/C/GUA/CO/7, para. 40).
Standard of living
76.
While taking note of the State party information on measures undertaken to promote
the right to water for children, the Committee remains concerned at the inaccessibility of
potable drinking water across the country, and at the high proportion of the rural population
lacking access to an improved source of water and sanitation.
77.
The Committee, while noting with satisfaction the adoption of the Act on the Food
and Nutrition Security System (2005), remains deeply concerned at the negative impact of
the “dry corridor” drought crisis on the right to food of children as well as at the lack of
adequate and sufficient measures to address this situation. The Committee is also concerned
that disputes over land ownership between indigenous peoples and owners often result in
forced evictions of indigenous peoples.
78.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to
ensure an adequate standard of living for all children, including adequate housing,
food and water. The Committee also recommends that the State party take all
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