Childrens rights

24. 1. 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.

2. 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

breast-feeding, 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.