Every child has the right to the best health care possible
(Article 24)

Most of us know that parents have a responsibility to care for their children. But did you know that other adults and governments also have a duty to look out for the needs of young people? It really does take a village to raise a child! And whether you are 58 years old, or 12 years old, you too can take part in a global community that makes children’s rights a priority in our world.

One-year-old Thet Htar Zaw is protected against life-threatening tetanus.

To ensure Thet was protected from neonatal tetanus, which claims the lives of 128,000 babies each year, she received three doses of the tetanus vaccine at her local primary health centre – at one-and-a-half months, two-and-a-half months and three-and-a-half months. Her mother, Daw San Thidar, also received two doses of the tetanus vaccine during her pregnancy and another dose when her daughter was five months old.

We are happy to report that as of June 2010, neonatal tetanus has been eradicated in Myanmar!

What can I do?

As a student, I can:

  • Contact my local health centre or school to sign up for first aid and CPR courses. Knowing what to do in an emergency is an important life skill.
  • Learn how to protect myself from transmittable diseases.
  • Organize my own fundraiser for UNICEF Canada. I can find ideas or a fundraising kit at:.
  • Never be afraid to ask for help if I, or someone I know, is in need.

As a teacher, I can:

  • Raise awareness about the Millennium Development Goals; three of the goals are linked to health.
  • Model and encourage positive lifestyle habits and a healthy classroom environment, and participate in projects outside school that respect these principles.
  • Invite a medical practitioner to come and talk with secondary students about common diseases and health issues and how students can protect themselves.

As a parent, I can:

  • Learn more about food security here in Canada and talk to my children about their right to healthy food that will help them develop to their fullest potential.
  • Teach my children how to read nutrition labels on packaged food and drink.
  • Engage in activities with my children and model that being active and eating healthily is a positive and fun way to achieve good health.
  • Plant a backyard garden or start a community garden with my child
  • Become a Global Parent. To find out how, go to our website here.