CRC/C/BGD/CO/4
page 15
60.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Adopt a coordinated and cost-effective strategy to accelerate the reduction of
under-nutrition in children, including the effective use of micronutrients, especially for
infants (6 to 24 months) and adolescents, and continue to work with parents, family
members, health workers, and community leaders to change negative behaviour regarding
children’s nutrition;
(b) Include prevention and reduction of young child injuries and accidents in
coordinated strategies to achieve MDG 4 (reduction of child mortality);
(c) Take all necessary measures to increase access to free primary health services
with particular attention to pre-natal and post-natal care for children and their mothers;
(d) Build national capacities to train health workers and medical practitioners,
and to increase the number of skilled birth attendants;
(e) Carry out, in partnership with relevant and competent partners, awarenessraising campaigns on the importance of antenatal care, neonatal care and breastfeeding;
(f) Adopt specific measures to ensure that minority and indigenous children are
not discriminated against in the enjoyment of their right to access basic and specialized
health services.
61.
The Committee notes with interest the ongoing health reform and the idea of a “fast
track” for improving coverage. However, the Committee notes with concern that the public
sector only provides 40 per cent of health services and that 85 per cent of deliveries happen at
home in the absence of skilled birth attendants. While noting the recently introduced voucher
system for women, covering such amenities as transportation and small items for newborns,
which is reported to have begun to increase demand for public sector services, the Committee
expresses concern that, for it to work in a sustained manner, the voucher system requires firm
support from the private sector and NGOs to provide the skilled workers required for systematic
pre-natal and post-natal attention.
62.
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure support and collaboration
from the private sector and NGOs to provide the professionals and skilled workers
required to operate a voucher system. In so doing, the Committee recommends that the
State party ensure that there is no conflict of interest between public sector doctors and
their private clinics.
Adolescent health
63.
The Committee notes with concern the information from the State party regarding the
inadequate attention to the health of adolescents, especially females. The Committee is also
concerned that the decision to incorporate policies for adolescents into a newly revised
Children’s Policy may obscure the necessary distinctions between the needs of the different age
groups. Of urgent concern for adolescent health are issues arising from violence against girls and
early marriages, as well as under-nutrition, access to health education and facilities, including
separate and appropriate sanitary facilities in schools. The Committee is further concerned about