The Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed, ratified, and a National Program of Action was implemented. Drugs are not a health problem, and there are no homeless or street children. The present economic problems, influencing food and medical supplies, creates an especially difficult circumstance which endangers mainly the life and welfare of children and mothers. Protection for Girls and Women Family planning education and services are available to all couples. All women have access to prenatal care, a trained attendant during childbirth, and referral for high-risk pregnancies and obstetric emergencies.
Pregnant women receive an additional food supply.
They are granted a working license of six months, which covers before and after the date of delivery. The average number of consultations during the period of gestation, including high-risk pregnancies, is 15. In risk cases, Down's syndrome is identified by chromosomal studies and probable cases of sickle cell anemia and other hemoglobinopathies are identified also. The family decides on the interruption or not of the pregnancy. There are 162 maternity homes for pregnant women who may have problems in reaching a hospital, or have some risk and are admitted two weeks before the expected date of delivery.