Cap. 525 Art. 31Treatment and care of minors.

(1)(a) In those cases where in the opinion of the responsible specialist, a minor has sufficient maturity and understanding to consent to treatment, no treatment or care shall be given to the minor unless the minor consents to it: Provided that in the case of an involuntary admission if the minor refuses to give consent, treatment can be given to prevent physical harm to self or others or to prevent mental deterioration and notes to this effect shall be entered in the clinical records:

(b) In those cases where in the opinion of the responsible specialist, the minor lacks sufficient maturity and understanding to consent to treatment, the consent of the responsible carer shall be required: Provided that in the case of an involuntary admission, if the responsible carer cannot be traced or refuses to give consent, treatment can be given to prevent physical harm to self or others or to prevent mental deterioration and notes to this effect shall be entered in the clinical records and in such cases measures to replace the responsible carer in terms of article 4 may be taken.

(2) No psychosurgery, sterilisation, implantation of hormonal or other invasive devices to modify sexual and, or emotional and, or behavioural changes arising from mental illness shall be carried by two specialists, that the expected benefits of the trials or research are likely to outweigh any potential harm to that minor. Such trials or research shall be subject to ethical and any other additional safeguards that may be applicable. Furthermore, the Commissioner shall appoint an appropriate independent specialist to monitor the minor during such trials or research.