Article 16 The right to the best attainable physical and mental health. Legal framework Section 8 (3)(d) of the Constitution provides for the provision of adequate medical and health facilities for all persons. However, such proviso is limited to the availability of the resources of the state. In addition to the constitution, Sierra Leone has other laws which protect the right to health of its citizens. The Prevention and Control of HIV & AIDS Act of 20079 also provides for this right. General practise There are other national health policies such as the malaria roll back plan and the free healthcare plan for all pregnant women, lactating mothers and children less than five years of age. In addition, the national health sector has a strategic plan for the years 2000 - 2015 which aims at providing adequate access to healthcare of citizens. There are in existence primary health care programmes such as free immunisations against deadly diseases such as polio, yellow fever, tuberculoses etc. There is also massive sensitisation on the use of mosquito bed nets as well as the free supply of mosquito bed nets to all households in preventing against malaria. Furthermore, there is sensitisation on other health issues such as HIV AIDS, STIs, STDs, Malaria, Polio, Yellow Fever, and Tuberculosis. In providing free health care for its citizens, the government allocated Le 154,950,589,392.00 (2011 National Budget Allocation) of its annual Gross National budget to Health Care. Sierra Leone has been rated as one of the countries in the world with the highest infant and maternal mortality rate. To correct the situation, the government in 2010 launched a National Free Healthcare Programme for lactating mothers, pregnant women and children under the age of five. In addition to this development, government has taken measures to guarantee the healthy development t of children. These steps include the provision of mabendazon VTA. Also, UNICEF in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme provides immunization for children. In support of the Government’s health care initiatives, the Office of the First Lady with support from UNFPA and other partners has also established a health care programme aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality. Article 17 The right to education. Legal framework The right to education is provided for in Section 9 of the Constitution. General Practise In guaranteeing this right, the Constitution provides that it shall be the duty of the State to ensure that all citizens have equal access to education by making provision for educational facilities such as primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational institutions, safeguard the right of vulnerable groups such as women, children and the disabled in securing educational facilities and providing the necessary structures, finance and supportive facilities for education as and when practicable. 9 Act No. 8 20