E/C.12/BFA/CO/1 State party to its general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing: forced evictions. Right to adequate and affordable housing 38. The Committee notes with concern that a high proportion of the population lives in substandard housing and inadequate conditions. The Committee fears that the number of housing units built and planned by the State party is not sufficient to address the serious housing shortage that exists, particularly in Ouagadougou, and that there is no national policy on the right to affordable housing. It is also concerned at the resulting rise in housing costs, particularly in urban areas (art. 11). 39. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a national human rights-based housing strategy, setting out the measures to be taken and the resources required to gradually address the housing shortage. The Committee also invites the State party to enforce the law on private tenancy leases in order to protect tenants from exorbitant rents and excessive rent increases. It would draw the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing. Right to safe drinking water and sanitation 40. The Committee is concerned at the lack of access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas, and the irregular supply of drinking water by the National Water and Sanitation Bureau. It notes the absence of a national strategy for the sanitation system, in particular with regard to the treatment and disposal of solid waste and wastewater. 41. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the provision of safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all, especially people living in rural areas. It would draw the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water and to its statement on the right to sanitation (2010). Right to health 42. The Committee welcomes the adoption of a law on a universal health insurance system in the State party. The Committee regrets, however, that, despite the efforts made by the State party to improve the quality and availability of health-care services, disadvantaged and marginalized persons or groups, particularly those living in rural areas and persons with a disability, continue to experience difficulty in gaining access to health services. The Committee notes with regret that the health budget is insufficient to cover the whole population. The Committee is concerned at the lack of health facilities, medical equipment and medical staff and the limited availability of medicines (art. 12). 43. The Committee recommends that the State party increase the health budget and continue its efforts to ensure the accessibility, availability and quality of health services, particularly in rural areas. In particular, it recommends that the State party improve the infrastructure of the primary health-care system and ensure that hospitals dispose of the necessary medical staff, supplies and medicines. The Committee would recall its general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health (art. 12). Infant and maternal mortality 44. The Committee notes with concern that, despite progress made in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, these remain very high. The Committee regrets that the majority of deaths of children under 5 years of age are caused by easily preventable and treatable diseases (art. 12). 8 GE.16-11935