Table 4.

Examples of best interests obligations on different levels (in relation to paediatric healthcare) (based on [6, 7, 10, 25, 34, 35, 138–145])

All levels

• Development and implementation of policies to combat violence against children (including female genital mutilation and intersex gender assignment surgery for non-medical reasons) and child abuse

• Development and implementation of policies to address infectious diseases (notably HIV/AIDS) in children

• Awareness-raising and (regulatory) measures to address unhealthy lifestyles in children (e.g. alcohol, drug and tobacco use; overweight and lack of physical exercise)

• Measures to ensure equal access of marginalized groups of children (e.g. children with disabilities; children living with HIV/AIDS; children in street situations; unaccompanied and separated migrant children) to healthcare services and to address their specific healthcare needs

• Development and implementation of policies to address child bullying and discrimination

Health policy

• Development of age-appropriate information campaigns on sexual and reproductive health

• Development of child mental health services, particularly for survivors of violence and abuse

• Adequate funding of paediatric healthcare

• Investment in digital health services and digital skills for children

• Collection of data and development of research programmes on child health, particularly with regard to marginalized groups of children

Professional organizations (e.g. paediatricians’ or nurses’ associations)

• Development of awareness and training programmes on violence against children and child abuse

• Development of training programmes on healthcare for marginalized groups of children

• Development of clinical guidelines on the implementation of the best interests principle in practice

• Development of education programmes on children’s rights in healthcare

Hospital management

• Sensibilization of staff on child abuse, violence against children and discriminatory practices

• Development of hospital policies in line with the best interests principle

• Creation of a clinical ethics board to assist in ethically difficult cases (e.g. end-of-life paediatric care)

Medical team

• Participation in regular training programmes on violence against children, child abuse and healthcare for marginalized groups of children

• Non-discriminatory provision of healthcare services

• Respect for the best interests principle as a major guideline for paediatric healthcare