Overview
Municipal Health comprises aspects of human health, including the quality of life, determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the identification, evaluation, control, correction and prevention of the factors that can potentially adversely affect the health of present and the future generations.
Identification: With routine inspections, sampling or complaints from the community we identify a certain problem e.g. with our regular water sampling we get traces of Escherichia coliform indicating water pollution that arises from faeces.
Evaluation: During the evaluation process we procure samples at a certain interval to determine the extent of the problem
Control: When the problem is control, e.g. when the problem is brought to the attention of the polluter and the polluter is informed about the condition and the rectification process.
Municipal Health Services
Municipal health services is defined in the National Health Act, 2003 include the following Key Performance Areas:
- Water Quality Monitoring
- Food Control
- Solid Waste Management
- Health Surveillance of Premises
- Supervision and Prevention of Contagious Diseases (excluding Immunization)
- Vector Control
- Environmental Pollution Control
- Disposal of Human Remains
- Safe handling of Chemical Substances
This excludes port health, malaria control and control of hazardous substances. The above-mentioned aspects are mentioned in the Scope of Environmental Health Practitioners. Environmental Health Practitioners have a statutory obligation to protect the health of the present and the future generations as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
The GRDM also has a Municipal Health Bylaw, which is accessible here.
For more information or queries, please contact:
Mr Johan Compion
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
Tel: 044 803 1525 | Cell: 082 803 5161 | E-mail: jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za