Children’s Right to Health
Children’s entitlement to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health is clearly stated in article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also recognize it. Furthermore, the imperative to improve children’s health is reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with references to children in most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets.
Children are vulnerable and more at risk to illness and health complications than adults. At every stage of their development, they have specific needs and different health risks. Hence, they require extra attention to enjoy the best possible state of health. Moreover, investing in children’s health is one of the most important things societies can do to build a better future. Children’s overall wellbeing is closely linked to other fundamental human rights including access to potable water, nutrition, essential medicine, adequate hygiene and appropriate health services.
As duty-bearers, States are obliged by articles 24 and 12 of the CRC to ensure that children enjoy their right to health. This involves extending beyond healthcare services to health-related education and information, freedom from harmful traditional practices and access to underlying conditions for health such as immunization, potable water, adequate environmental sanitation and nutritious food as well as adopting measures to reduce infant mortality and increase life expectancy. Children’s health should be interpreted in its broadest sense to embrace their physical, mental, spiritual, moral, psychological, and social wellbeing. Parents are also expected to provide appropriate direction and guidance in a way that does not undermine the ability of children to exercise their rights to health. Unfortunately, children are often treated as passive right-holders thus denying them the opportunity to participate and express their views freely on matters that affect their health and well-being.
Fulfilling children’s right to wellbeing is not the exclusive duty of states and parents but also of all God-fearing people and groups. As Marists Brothers, the Gospel imperatives of compassion for the vulnerable and respect for life convince us that children and young people must be protected from danger and treated with love and respect. Marcellin Champagnat considered any form of neglect of children disgusting so he made every effort to prevent it. Regarding this, the call of the XXII General Chapter to journey with children and young people living on the margins of life invites us to empower them.
Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16) to teach his disciples to love and care for them. Conscious of this, Marcellin Champagnat constantly reminded Brothers to never forget that children are feeble and need to be treated with kindness, charity, and mercy and be instructed with patience. Our commitment and involvement in Child right Advocacy spring from the Gospel imperatives, Champagnat’s attitude towards children, the world-wide recognition and support of the CRC and the clarion call of the XXII General Chapter to give special attention to children and young people who come under our care.
__________
Br. Francis Lukong – Secretariat of Solidarity