Committee on the Rights of the Child Chair: Alara Demirtas Novice Committee Topic B: Children’s Rights to Healthcare in Periphery Countries Introduction
The realization of the right to health implies that each country will put in place health
services that are available in any circumstance, accessible to everyone, of good quality and
satisfactory (meaning they conform to medical ethics and are respectful of our biological and
cultural differences.) However, this does not mean that the country must guarantee good health to
everyone. The right to health also involves prevention and awareness campaigns. Prevention plays
an essential role in maintaining public health, particularly children’s health. Health education and
vaccinations prevent the spread of infectious disease. Vaccinations are efficient because they are
fairly inexpensive and they protect children against the risk of death and handicaps caused by the
most common children’s diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, leprosy, polio, whooping
cough, and measles). In the long term, these vaccinations can even lead to the end of these diseases
in a given country. Vaccinating children, as well as awareness campaigns, can lead to a significant
reduction in health risks. Additionally, spreading basic information about hygiene, nutritional
needs, etc., as well as the circulation of simple illustrations reminding people of the fundamental
rules are very efficient actions for informing populations and improving healthy behavior.
Additionally, it is important to inform the population about the harmful effects that child
marriage or Female genital mutilation have on children’s health. Children’s right to health. For
children, the right to health is vital because they are vulnerable beings, more at risk to illness and
health complications. When children are spared from disease, they can grow into healthy adults,
and in this way, contribute to the development of dynamic and productive societies. The right for
children to enjoy the best possible state of health. Children require extra attention in order to enjoy
the best possible health. This allows them to develop properly during their childhood and teenage
years.
At every step of their physical and mental development, children have specific needs and
different health risks. Additionally, a newborn is more vulnerable and more exposed to certain
diseases than a young child or teenager (i.e. infectious disease, malnutrition.)On the other hand, a
teenager, due to his or her habits and behavior, are exposed to other kinds of risks (sexual health,
mental health, alcohol and drug use etc.)Generally, a child who benefits from appropriate health
care will enjoy a better state of health during the stages of childhood and can become a healthy
adult.
Why is child health necessary?
Health is vitally important for every human being in the world. Whatever our differences
may be, health is our most important commodity. A person in bad health cannot really live life to
the fullest. The principle characteristics of the right to health. Health is the state of physical, mental
and social well-being and does not only mean an absence of illness or disease. The right to health
is closely linked to other fundamental human rights, most notably access to potable water and
adequate hygiene. The right to health includes access to health services. All children have the right
to timely access to appropriate health services. This requires the establishment of a system to
protect health, including access to essential medicine.
Case Study
The United Nations, since its inception, has been actively involved in promoting and
protecting good health worldwide. Leading that effort within the UN system is the World Health
Organization (WHO), whose constitution came into force on 7 April 1948. At the outset, it was
decided that WHO’s top priorities would be malaria,women’s and children’s health, tuberculosis,
venereal disease, nutrition and environmental sanitation. Many of those remain on the WHO’s
agenda today, in addition to such relatively new diseases as HIV/AIDS. Global Stategy for
Women’s and children’s health mobilizes resources to save the lives of more than 16 million
women and children. In the lead-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit in
September 2010, the Secretary-General launched a global effort convening 40 key leaders to define
a collective strategy for accelerating progress on women's and children's health.
Past UN Actions
In 1948, WHO took over the responsibility for the International Classification of Diseases,
which has become the international standard for clinical and epidemiological purposes. Between
1952 and 1964, the WHO’s efforts had reduced the global prevalence of yaws –– a crippling and
disfiguring disease that afflicted some 50 million people in 1950 –– by more than 95 per cent.
Between 1967 and 1979, the WHO’s efforts led to the eradication of smallpox –– the only time a
major infectious disease has been completely eradicated. Since its Global Polio Eradication
Initiative was launched in 1988, through 2006, the number of cases was reduced by more than 99
per cent –– from 350,000 per year to less than 2,000.
WHO staff are at work on the ground in 147 countries worldwide. They advise ministries
of health on technical issues and provide assistance on prevention, treatment and care services
throughout the health sector. Six regional WHO offices coordinate and support these efforts, while
giving special attention to adapting global HIV/AIDS policies to fit the specific needs of their
region –– for example in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic is largely spread by heterosexual
sex, as compared with Eastern Europe, where injecting drug use is the primary mode of
transmission.
In short, WHO interventions cover all areas of the global health-care spectrum, including
crisis intervention and the response to humanitarian emergencies; establishing International Health
Regulations, which countries must follow to identify disease outbreaks and stop them from
spreading; preventing chronic diseases; and working to achieve the health-related Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) lives of more than 16 million won and children
In the lead-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit in September 2010,
the Secretary-General launched a global effort convening 40 key leaders to define a collective
strategy for accelerating progress on women's and children's health.
But it would be misleading to suggest that the entire work of the UN system in support of
global health rests with the WHO. On the contrary, many members of the UN family are engaged
in this critical task. Many health-related matters addressed directly by the General Assembly and
the Economic and Social Council, as well as through the efforts of the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); the work of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
in support of reproductive, adolescent and maternal health; and the health-related activities of the
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
In addition, such members of the UN system as the International Labour Organization
(ILO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Bank, among others, all play a key
role in promoting global health.
Health-related decades now being observed internationally, as declared by the General
Assembly, include the Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in
Africa (2001-2010) and the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life” (from 22 March
2005).
Annual international observances relating to health, as proclaimed by the General
Assembly, include World Water Day (22 March), World Autism Awareness Day (2 April), World
Health Day (7 April), World No-Tobacco Day (31 May), the International Day against Drug Abuse
and Illicit Trafficking (26 June).World Mental Health Day (10 October), World Diabetes Day (14
November) and World AIDS Day (1 December).
Problems that Should be Addressed
1. What are the roles of parents on healthcare in periphery countries?
2. What is being done about mother to child transmission of AIDS/HIV in periphery
countries?
3. The effect of heavy labor on children and the ways to prevent it?
4. What can be done to raise the quality of health care for children in periphery countries?
5. Should countries fund each other to reach a greater overall health for children?