A/HRC/33/23
health-care units to become key partners, as they inform mothers about the importance of
registration and help them in applying for identity cards.
36.
The inter-agency initiative is a clear example of the integration of human rightsbased approaches in reducing newborn, infant and under-5 mortality and demonstrates the
important role of the United Nations country team in that regard.
2.
United Republic of Tanzania
37.
On 29 and 30 June 2015, OHCHR, in conjunction with WHO, the Ministry of
Health, the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and the United Nations
country team in Dar es Salaam organized a consultation on the role of human rights
mechanisms in improving newborn, infant and under-5 health. Participants were from the
health and human rights fields, including United Nations agencies, the Government and
civil society. There were representatives from medical hospitals, including Amana Hospital,
the Bugando Medical Centre, the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, the Mbeya
Referral Hospital, the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, the Muhimbili National Hospital and the
Mwananyamala Hospital.
38.
The United Republic of Tanzania has made substantial advances in improving child
survival, but the reduction in newborn mortality has been much slower, as it still accounts
for 40 per cent of deaths of Tanzanian children younger than 5 years. Much of the progress
has been due to prenatal and postnatal care, vaccinations, nutritional supplements and
overall improvement of health services.
39.
The discussions during the consultation highlighted the importance of enhancing the
quality of health services, particularly for newborn children, and ensuring access to
medication for children affected by infections, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles,
malaria and HIV/AIDS. Improving the nutrition of small children was also raised as a
requirement to ensuring the implementation of the rights of the child to survival and
development. Particular emphasis was paid to the health situation and the rights of children
affected by albinism and refugee children. Other elements of the discussion referred to
capacity and funding gaps in the health sector, the unavailability of essential medicines and
the need to improve health governance. Integration of human rights principles into health
service delivery, enhancement of partnerships and strengthened social accountability were
recommended, as well as further investment in disadvantaged regions.
40.
Following the meeting’s recommendation that human rights principles be integrated
in the delivery of health services and quality of care, particularly for newborn children,
OHCHR, in consultation with WHO, commissioned an assessment of the state of newborn
health in a number of selected hospitals. At the time of preparation of the present report, the
assessment was under way in Zanzibar.
41.
The assessment comes at an important moment for Zanzibar, since in 2015 it
received the Future Policy Award for its Children’s Act. That piece of legislation earned the
award for its balanced coverage of child abuse and violence against children and for its
promotion of children’s rights. It lays the foundation for the establishment of a
comprehensive national child protection system to deal with cases of children in need of
care and protection. In the Act, it is stipulated that the child has the right to medical care
and immunization and should not be denied medical care for reasons of religion or other
beliefs. It is stated that every child shall be registered upon birth and that health authorities
shall cooperate to secure the registration of all births. Any person who performs
professional or official duties with respect to a child, including a doctor, medical officer or
traditional health practitioner, who has a reasonable belief that a child’s rights are being
significantly infringed has the duty to report it. A chapter of the Act is devoted to consent to
medical interventions and surgical operations, as well as HIV testing.
GE.16-11320
9
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