74. While some important legislation pertaining to the right to health such as Public Health
Act and Thalassaemia Control Act were enacted in the parliament, equally important
legislation such as Medical Negligence or Malpractice, Medicine Act and Maternal and
Child Health Act are yet to be passed by the Parliament. HRCM in its statement issued
on the occasion to mark the World Health Day (2011) called upon the government to
formulate new legislation to strengthen and monitor health services delivery in the
country89.
HIV/AIDS
75. Despite the fact that Health Protection Agency (HPA), mandated with HIV/AIDS
prevention/control, is constantly monitoring and providing support for the identified
HIV patients, the agency is worried that the health system may not be able to respond
effectively to a potential HIV outbreak. Although the recent data indicates probability of
such an outbreak especially among one of the key population groups, the national
program lacks prevention programs and specialized care for population groups at risk.
HPA is not adequately funded and needs capacity to lay down such a system. There are
no prevention services for high risk groups, increasing the risk of spreading HIV.9091 High
risk factors including sharing of needles to inject drugs, high risk sexual behaviour
among young key populations of adolescents and youth could contribute to an
increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS.92It is alarming that there is no screening system for
HIV/AIDS and STI in the prison system; considering some of the people living with HIV
(PLHIV) go in and out of prison as repeated offenders.93
Recommendations
• Facilitate equal access to healthcare for people, especially women, living in rural
areas.
• Take measures to ensure confidentiality of patients’ personal and sensitive
information, especially women.
• Disseminate information on effective and age appropriate sex education programs
designed to decrease unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions and to increase
use of contraceptives.
Article 13: Social and Economic Benefits
76. Notable effort was undertaken by the state to strength the legislative framework on
social protection, which led to the enforcement of the following legislation.
Pension Act (2009)
Law on Protecting the Rights of Disabled Persons and Provisions of Financial Support
(2010)
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