CRC/C/15/Add.173 page 10 (i) Seek, in this regard, international cooperation and technical assistance from, among others, UNICEF and WHO. 6. Basic health and welfare Health and health services 39. While noting the decrease in the infant and child mortality rates and the reform process which has been under way since the early 1990s, the Committee is nevertheless concerned at the great disparities existing within these rates, in particular with regard to indigenous children, those living in rural areas, those with a lower socio-economical origin and those with a mother with a low level of education. It further notes that maternal mortality rates may not reflect actual cases related to complications resulting from illegal abortions, in particular those affecting pregnant adolescents. 40. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Allocate appropriate resources and develop comprehensive policies and programmes to improve the health situation of all children without discrimination, in particular by focusing more on primary health care and decentralizing the health-care system; (b) In order to prevent child mortality and morbidity and lower the maternal mortality rate, provide adequate antenatal and postnatal health-care services and develop campaigns to inform parents about basic child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation, family planning and reproductive health, especially in rural areas. Adolescent health 41. While noting the development of a National Policy for Adolescent Health in 1999, the Committee is concerned at the limited availability of programmes and services in the field of adolescent health, including mental health, especially in rural areas, and the lack of sufficient prevention and information programmes in schools. Further, it expresses its concern about the high rates of early pregnancy and the lack of information, counselling and preventive programmes on reproductive health, including the lack of adequate access to contraceptives, in particular in rural areas. It also notes the rise in the number of children and youths using drugs, and the growing number of cases of HIV/AIDS among the youth. 42. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Implement in an effective way the National Policy for Adolescent Health, especially in rural areas, and increase its efforts to promote adolescent health, including mental health, policies, particularly with respect to reproductive health and substance abuse, and strengthen the programme of health education in schools;