AN APPRAISAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKON THE HEALTH RIGHTS OF A CHILD

Abstract

In any decision that must be taken in respect of a child, the best interest of the child must be
the paramount consideration. The rights of the child must be safeguarded from any form of
abuse or violation. The abuse or violation of the rights of the child is often detrimental to the
health and well-being of the child. Every child is entitled to the right to health and health
facilities, in other words, practices and acts that are detrimental to the health of the child must
be avoided. Some of these practices sometimes claim the life of the victim or may lead to
permanent deformity. Both the State and the parents of the child have a greater role to play in
ensuring that the child enjoys his/her right to health. This study examined the child’s right to
health, practices that violate the right to health, and the legislative framework on the right to
health and health facilities. The essential goal of this study was to recognize the necessity of
the health of the child concerning relevant international legal frameworks and to justify the
need for enactment of an enabling law on the health rights of the child. The study adopted a
doctrinal research method. It relied on primary sources of data such as statutes, conventions,
and judicial decisions and secondary sources of data such as articles in journals, textbooks, and
internet materials among others. This study however concluded that the health of the child is
of great importance to the development and well-being of the child.