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Breastfeeding, vaccination a child's right, says DHA

Dubai - Instances where parents fail to get a child treated for chronic illnesses are considered neglect.

Failure by parents to vaccinate and breastfeed their children are considered 'neglect' under a UAE law, but they are not punishable, a top official from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has clarified.
"These are not options but the rights of a child that start even before birth," said Dr Shahraban Abdulla, chairperson of the DHA's Standing Child Protection Committee.
Clarifying a report published in Khaleej Times on April 30, the official said: "We want to make parents and the community at large aware of their responsibilities through education."
Wadeema's Law, which was passed in 2016, is the backbone of the committee. Dr Shahraban said instances where parents fail to get a child treated for chronic illnesses are considered neglect.
"In this regard, not having a child vaccinated is considered medical negligence because this falls under a human being's civil rights and, subsequently, health rights," said Dr Shahraban.
The law is a protection for future generations and does not aim for punishments, unless it is specifically found that there has been sexual or physical violence against a child. "That, then, becomes a police case," added Dr Shahraban.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com