The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) urged the government to issue National Identity Card number to every child at birth.
In a statement, the GMOA said that issuing a National Identity Card with the same number on or before the age of 16 years will further strengthen children’s rights and wellbeing.
During the meeting with Director General of Health Services regarding the COVID Vaccination Program, the matter of issuing a tracking number for children was discussed. Officials of the Family Health Bureau declared at this meeting, that a similar proposal was forwarded ten years ago.
Furthermore, GMOA had previously submitted a comprehensive report in this regard to the Experts’ Committee on New Constitutional Reforms on 30 December 2020.
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We strongly believe that, the above initiative will benefit the children as well as future generations of the country. If this proposal is implemented, every child will develop a sense of belonging to the motherland. Safety and well-being of children will be ensured, especially with regard to child abuse and child labor. NIC number could be used as a unique health identifier for well-coordinated universal health coverage. Aforesaid unique identities can be linked to educational, financial and social information while maintaining confidentiality. Also accurately targeting of needy children for availing limited resources (eg; priority to vulnerable in COVID vaccination) can be achieved by using this unique number,” the GMOA pointed out.
