213. Sexual abuse of persons with disabilities, is a concern in our country. Close
family members who should protect children, particularly girls with disabilities, are the
first to rape them. Unfortunately, these cases are usually resolved in family and
household forums, with monetary compensation to the victims' families.
X. Health and Health Services
214. The Constitution of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, states in its Article 15 that
"public health aims to promote the physical and mental well-being of populations and
their balanced integration in the socio-ecological environment in which they live." It
also describes that public health "should be oriented towards prevention and aim at
the progressive socialization of medical and pharmaceutical sectors".
215. Notwithstanding the Constitution of the Republic does not expressly mentioning
the right to health, but Article 29 of the CRGB stipulates that constitutional and legal
provisions concerning fundamental rights, must be construed in harmony with the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the right to health.
216. The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), is part of the Secretariat of State for
Hospital Administration. A governmental department, is responsible for formulating,
proposing and implementing government policies on health and the fight against
epidemics. MINSAP includes the General Secretariat, Inspection General, National
Health Institute, Essential Medicines Procurement Center, Regional Public Health
Directorates, Directorates-Generals for Prevention and Health Promotion, Health
System Administration and Administration for Health Institutions.
217. The country does not have a basic health law, but it is in force Law No. 5/2007
on HIV / AIDS, which prohibits the discrimination of people with HIV / AIDS and Law
No.11/2010 on reproductive health and family planning.
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6 The idea of adopting a law in this sense, began its discussion in 2010 and 2011, but then
abandoned because of the coup d'etat of 2012.
218. Guinea-Bissau, has a National Health Development Plan for 2008-2017 which
includes other frameworks and policies, such as the Operational Plan for
Transitioning to Prenatal and Maternal Health (POPEN) and the National Human
Resources Plan for the Health Sector, highlighting the following priorities:
• Reproductive Health Program;
• Family Planning;
• Expanded Program on Immunization;
• Strategy for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness and Nutrition;
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