Section 13 Child’s Right Act

Section 13 Child’s Right Act 2003 is about Right to health and health services. It is under Part II (Rights and Responsibilities of a Child) of the Act.

(1) Every child is entitled to enjoy the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health.

(2) Every Government, parent, guardian, institution, service, agency, organisation or body responsible for the care of a child shall endeavour to provide for the child the best attainable state of health.

(3) Every Government in Nigeria shall‐
(a) endeavour to reduce infant and child mortality rate;
(b) ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care services to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care;

(c) ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water;
(d) ensure the provision of good hygiene and environmental sanitation;
(e) combat disease and malnutrition within the framework of primary health care through the application of appropriate technology;
(f) ensure appropriate health care for expectant and nursing mothers; and
(g) support, through technical and financial means, the mobilisation of national and local community resources in the development of primary health care for children;

(4) Every parent guardian or person having the care and custody of a child under the age of two years shall ensure that the child is provided with full immunisation.

(5) Every parent, guardian or person having the care of a child who fails in the duty imposed on him under subsection (4) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction for‐
(a) a first offence, to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira; and
(b) second or any subsequent offence, whether in respect of that child or any other child, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

(6) The Court may make, in substitution for or addition to any penalty stipulated under subsection (5) of this section, an order compelling the parent or guardian of a child to get the child immunised.