Children living in poverty as well as those living with a form of disability tend to be cut off from the access to healthcare services, they need in order to survive and thrive. The unconscious act of neglect on this set of vulnerable people exposes them to the risk of disease, malnutrition amongst other physical and psychological issues which tend towards the negative.
Several Researchers have proven that some major causes of death among young children vary by age. For example, Toddlers (I.e. Children within 1-3yrs of age) as well as Preschoolers (i.e. Children within 4-5yrs of age) are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV and tuberculosis. Older within the ages of 6 – 19yrs of age tend to suffer non-communicable diseases, injuries and conflict pose significant threats. This is all as a result of some level of neglect in the area of Child Right to Health especially those children who unfortunately have become orphans, street beggars, street hawkers amongst other things that are not suitable for children.
Every child who is exposed to the rigors and hardship of life from a tender age will most likely become a potential threat not just to themselves and their immediate environment they find themselves, but also to the larger society. Such a children will in most cases grow to become a menace to the society and Nation if they survive and grow without some level of psychology, mental and physical care.
It should also be taken into cognizance that children who are denied access to certain healthcare services be it Mental, or physical, will most likely become potential suicide victims at the they get to a more advanced stage of their development. The question to be answered now becomes,” How high or low will the Infant Mortality rate be in the nearest future judging from the present level of access to quality health care services by vulnerable children?”
Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child made detailed provisions on the rights of the child to health. It states the following;
- States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.
States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.”
- States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take
appropriate measures:
(a) To diminish infant and child mortality;
(b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care;
(c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of primary
health care, through inter alia, the application of readily available technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of environmental pollution;
(d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers;
(e) To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are
informed, have access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents;
(f) To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents and family planning
education and services.”
“3. States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children’.
“4. States Parties undertake to promote and encourage international co-operation with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right recognized in the present article. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries”.
Fortunately, this provision is well-detailed and covers a wide range of Primary Health Care, secondary Health Care and Tertiary Health care as well as determining factors affecting the enjoyment of the right of a child to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
In conclusion, it is important to note that in matters concerning children, the best interest of the child is always the overriding guiding principle.
Jekeli writes from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Abuja.
