Children’s health in Botswana hugely at risk, needs interventions

on Human UN Special Rapporteur Environment raps Botswana

Malnutrition in children under the age of five years still remains a challenge in Botswana.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David Boyd has observed with regret that a large number of children in Botswana, with estimates ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent, suffer from stunting caused by inadequate nutrition. He said this at the end of his nine-day visit to Botswana at the invitation of the Government. “Unfortunately, not only will the children of Botswana have to face the increasingly difficult challenges presented by the climate crisis but they also face food insecurity, lack of access to water and sanitation, and exposure to population and toxic substances, undermining their ability to enjoy rights to food, water, health and a healthy environment,” Dr Boyd said. Public

Relations Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Christopher Nyanga confirmed that indeed malnutrition is still a challenge in Botswana. “According to recent research, prevalence of stunting in Botswana is at 21 percent,” he said, noting that it is for this reason that the Ministry continues to emphasise on children’s health and welfare, as well as seek support and intervention as may be appropriate. Dr Boyd has urged the government of Botswana to draw their attention to the recently-published General Comment No.26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - “Child Rights, the Environment and Climate Change” - which confirms that every child has the right to clean, healthy and sustainable environment. He noted that vulnerable populations, children, women, indigenous peoples and rural communities are among the most affected and are bearing the brunt of negative impacts. He said that children are disproportionately vulnerable to toxic substances due to physical and behavioural differences and as a result, contaminated water, air and soil, as well as poor waste management pose significant risks to children’s environmental health. Dr Boyd added that outbreaks of waterborne diseases including rotavirus and pneumonia, often linked to air pollution, are major causes of mortality and morbidity for infants and children under the age of five. Dr Boyd highlighted that Botswana phased out the use of leaded gasoline in 2006, addressing a major source of lead in the country, but soil near major roadways in Gaborone continues to be contaminated with lead. “Botswana should establish and implement regulations to protect children’s health and human rights from lead paint, lead in drinking water pipes and plumbing materials, and other sources of potential exposure,” he said, reiterating that a holistic initiative to protect children’s environmental health would be a great investment. “Lead is a high priority because of the severe risk to the neurological development of children and so health experts in Botswana have urged the government to conduct updated testing of young children, possibly when they are being vaccinated.” A study published in 2010 tested blood lead levels in a sample of children from Botswana and revealed that 31 percent of children six-years-old and younger had blood lead levels above 10 if/dL, indicating dangerously high exposure. Dr Boyd said as a middle-income state with laws, policies and resources that ensure everyone enjoys their rights to water, sanitation and a clean healthy and sustainable environment, Botswana should be able to prioritise marginalised and vulnerable groups and be at the forefront of children’s wellness.