An Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) explains our role in the Disposal of the Dead

“Disposal of the dead is one of the nine key municipal health functions performed by EHP. It is governed by the Regulations relating to the Management of Human Remains, Regulation number 363 of 22 May 2013, promulgated under the National Health Act 61 of 2003.

For EHPs, the disposal of the dead involves the monitoring of funeral undertakers, mortuaries, crematoriums and cemeteries for compliance and also the management, control and monitoring of exhumation, rebuttal and disposal of human remains.

Currently, as it stands, ESKOM has continued to implement load-shedding for weeks. It is for this reason that Environmental Health Practitioners urge all funeral undertakers, crematoria and mortuaries to have a backup plan (like generators during load-shedding). Fridges need to keep running during power outages to prevent bodies from decomposing. The decomposed bodies do not only compromise the dignity of the deceased but also pose health threats for those exposed,” – Khanyisa Shoto, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #DisposalOfTheDead #Exhumation #Rebuttal #Funeral #Mortuary

Prevention and surveillance of Communicable Diseases by Environmental Health Practitioners

“Communicable diseases are diseases that can be spread from one person to another through a variety of ways. These include contact with blood, and body fluids, breathing air-borne viruses or being bitten by certain insects, amongst others. Communicable diseases include hundreds of viral or bacterial infections, of which some most prevalent include Covid-19, TB, Hepatitis-B and others. You can prevent the spread of communicable diseases by keeping a social distance between yourself and others. Also, avoid contact with contaminated surfaces. Last, and a very important point – always keep your hands clean – wash your hands regularly,” – Sive Mkuta, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Covid19 #TB #CommunicableDiseases #Health

Illegal dumping and its impacts on the health and environment (and our water)

“Illegal dumping is one of the biggest challenges we face as environmental health petitioners on a daily basis. The reason for this is that illegal dump sites causes the spread of bacteria, diseases, causes rodent infestations, causes water, soil, and air pollution and it also blocks our water network systems. Our plea with you today is to help us protect the health of the community, to help us protect your health. Please report any illegal damping to your local municipalities. And please dispose of your waste in an approved manner. Let’s be the changes in our communities and let’s curb illegal dumping together.” Jessica Erasmus, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

To report illegal dumping in your area, contact:
𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 028 713 8020 or e-mail info@hessequa.gov.za
𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 044 606 5143 or 044 606 500 or 44802 (SMS) or e-mail admin@mosselbay.gov.za
𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 044 801 6350 or e-mail sprins@george.gov.za
𝗞𝗻𝘆𝘀𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 044 302 6405 / 081 556 3974 (W’App) or e-mail rloxton@knysna.gov.za
𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 044 501 3174/5 or e-mail customercare@bitou.gov.za
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 044 203 3900 or 044 203 7800/1
𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Call 078 409 9064

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/municipal-health-services/

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape

A snapshot of Vector Control – a function of Environmental Health Practitioners

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“Today I am going to be speaking about one of the nine (9) functional areas of Municipal Health Services, which is Vector Controlling. Some interesting statistics – according to research, vector-borne diseases account for approximately 17% of the estimated global burden of infectious diseases. Now, what are these vectors? Vectors include insects or animals that spread an infectious disease through a bite or contact with urine, faeces, blood or other body excretions or fluids. Vectors include mosquitoes, flies, ticks, rodents, cockroaches or fleas. Diseases spread by vectors include malaria, Dengue fever, Zika virus, Yellow fever, Rift Valley fever and plague. The role of an Environmental Health Practitioner in vector controlling is to; one, understand the vector, and how it transmits infectious pathogens; two – to monitor the possible existence of environmental factors that can create a conducive environment for vectors; three – to conduct case investigations of vectors; lastly – health education on preventative measures. Preventative measures for pest control include proper waste management, good housekeeping, and elimination or removal of conducive environments that will lead to the breeding of pests. It is of utmost importance for businesses to have a pest control programme in place.

The effective execution of pest control programmes must be regularly monitored. Therefore, EHPs appeal to the public to report any nuisance caused by vectors to the Municipal Health Section of Garden Route District Municipality on 044 803 1300,” – Lusizo Kwetshube, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Regional contact numbers of EHP Chiefs:

𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗛𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘀 – Cell: +27(0)83 678 6545
𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘆: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 – Cell: +27(0)83 630 6108
𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗮: 𝗠𝘀. 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀 – Cell: +27(0)78 457 2824
𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗮𝘁𝗵 – Cell: +27(0)83 644 8858
𝗞𝗻𝘆𝘀𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆 – Cell: +27(0)82 805 9417
𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗚𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝘀 – Cell: +27(0)83 557 1522
𝗞𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲 – Cell: +27(0)83 678 6530

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

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The importance of WASHING HANDS – education continuously rolled out by Environmental Health Practitioners

“Hand washing with soap and water is an effective way to prevent diseases. It can prevent about 30% of diarrhoea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections. We can protect ourselves and those around us from getting sick by washing our hands every time after sneezing, coughing, before preparing food and after using toilet facilities,” – Carike Jantjies, GRDM Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #HandWashing #WaterandSanitation #CleanHands #WashHands

A snapshot of Food Control done by Environmental Health Practitioners

Remember, today is World Environmental Health Day. Please also share this post!

“One of our key performance areas as Environmental Health Practitioners is food control. Food control includes: ensuring food safety in respect of microbiological and chemical standards. The quality of food for human consumption and hygiene control throughout the food supply chain from the point of production up until the point of consumption. Food control includes monitoring informal food traders and all food premises.

EHPs inspect production, distribution, and consumption areas. EHPs also promote safe transportation, handling, storage, and preparation of foodstuffs. Enforcing legislation such as R638. This regulation emphasizes all the standard requirements for food premises and the transport of food. Complying with related regulations and legislation prevents any food contamination and foodborne diseases,” Yonwaba Sifo, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #FoodControl #Microbiology #InformalFoodTraders #FormalFoodTraders #Business #Hygiene #SCM #SupplyChain

A snapshot of sampling done by Environmental Health Practitioners

Remember – today, 26 September 2022, is World Environmental Health Day

“Today I am going to speak ‘all things sampling’, but very very briefly. I think the question on the table is why do we take samples, to begin with?; where exactly do we take the samples?; and where do we take them at the end of the day? We take samples on a monthly basis without fail to determine whether or not the food or water is fit for use. So, we go out on a monthly basis to different sampling points to clinics, hospitals, créches, and informal settlements, to name a few. We do this to try and determine whether or not the food or the water we take samples of, are fit for human consumption. Not only that, we go out to rivers, beaches and even wastewater plants to take water samples. Even after that, we take it to an accredited lab for analysis. This is just one of nine (9) key performance areas EHPs have to perform on a daily basis.” Ivy Mamegwa, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here. 

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #Sampling #WaterSampling

Remember, today is World Environmental Health Day.

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“Today the 26th of September 2022 is World Environmental Health Day. The theme for this day is strengthening environmental health systems for the implementation of the sustainable development goals. The International Federation of environmental health has given us a lovely background for this day. The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the global goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity now and in the future. The 17 sustainable development goals are integrated. They recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Environmental health plays a pivotal role in the implementation of these sustainable development goals” – Jessica Erasmus, Environmental Health Practitioner, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

Read more about World Environmental Health Day here.

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #SDG #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #UN #UnitedNations

Today, 26 September 2022 is World Environmental Health Day

“National Government also says: “Environmental Health Day addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviours. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments. Environmental Health encompasses those aspects of human health including the quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychological factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, minimising and preventing those factors in the environment can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.”

Our 9 KPA’s are:

• Water quality monitoring
• Food control
• Waste management
• Health surveillance of premises
• Surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases
• Vector control
• Environmental pollution control
• Disposal of the dead
• Chemical safety

Throughout the day we will take you on a journey where we will explain some of our roles and functions,” Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health and Environmental Services, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

Main EHP contact persons per area:
𝗛𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗛𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘀
Cell: +27(0)83 678 6545

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘆: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲
Cell: +27(0)83 630 6108

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗮: 𝗠𝘀. 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀
Cell: +27(0)78 457 2824

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗮𝘁𝗵
Cell: +27(0)83 644 8858

𝗞𝗻𝘆𝘀𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆
Cell: +27(0)82 805 9417

𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗚𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝘀
Cell: +27(0)83 557 1522

𝗞𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼: 𝗠𝗿. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲
Cell: +27(0)83 678 6530

#WEHD2022 #WorldEnvironmentalHealthDay #education #teamsontheground #saveearth #environment #environmenthealth #EHP #GardenRouteDM #GardenRoute #SouthAfrica #WesternCape