1. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES – (Separate Page under City Health)
Definition of Environmental Health
"Environmental health comprises of those aspects of human health, including quality of
life, that are determined by chemical, physical, biological, social and psychosocial factors
in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting,
controlling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect
adversely the health of present and future generation" (WHO).
The identification, evaluation, control as well as prevention through education of all those
factors in the total environment which exercise a detrimental effect on individual physical,
mental and social well being and development. It also implies continuous efforts to
educate and prevent individuals from effecting the environment in such a way that it
becomes detrimental to their well being and development.
The advent of new challenges such as rapid urbanisation and industrialisation need to be
addressed simultaneously using a holistic approach to achieve aims as set out in a
business plan and improving living conditions (especially in underdeveloped areas).
Definition of "Environmental Health Practitioner"
Environmental Health Practitioners are appointed by the City of Cape Town in terms of the
Health Act No. 63 of 1977, to exercise their powers and duties as determined in the Act.
“The purpose of the Act is to provide measures for the promotion of the health of
the inhabitants of South Africa; to that end to provide for the rendering of health
services; to define the duties, powers and responsibilities of certain authorities
which render health services in the Republic".
The Environmental Health Practitioner has in terms of this Act been appointed and
authorised to implement this Act and its regulations. In terms of section 56 of this Act, the
Environmental Health Practitioner has the authority to serve a health notice on any person,
individual or company to abate a health nuisance or situation that may be dangerous or
injurious to human health. Legal action can be taken in terms of the act should it be
deemed necessary.
The City of Cape town has Practitioners with specialised training in the discipline of
environmental health who are recognised as constituting a specific professional group
called Environmental Health Practitioners. The EHP is not only qualified at graduate level
but must also have completed a period of compulsory practical training in the
environmental health profession. EHP’s are also required to be registered with the
Professional board Health professions Council of South Africa as Environmental Health
Practitioners and is also required to develop skills trough a “Continued Professional
Development” program in order to maintain their level of professional competency.
EHPs are concerned with administration, inspection, monitoring, education and regulation
as prescribed in environmental health legislation. They act as a public arbiter of
environmental health standards, maintaining close contact with the community. They
develop professional standards and apply them in environmental health. A vital function is
to maintain effective liaison with other professional groups (inter sectoral) who have a
contribution to make in the promotion of environmental health in its widest sense.
The other professionals with whom liaison is appropriate include physicians,
microbiologists, public analysts, civil building and sanitary engineers, veterinarians, health
and safety enforcement professionals, environmental management professionals,
architects, housing officials, water engineers, scientists, town planners, building control
officers, prosecutors, layers, and all other service providers within the City of Cape Town’s
Administration.
The Role of the EHP in Rendering Environmental Health Services
If the EHP is to make a significant contribution to providing Healthy Cities, then cognisance
needs to be taken of the vital role the EHP must play with regard to cost effective
preventative aspects of primary health, as opposed to expensive curative aspects. The
functions of the EHP within the primary health system are diverse, and include: 1. Health Education
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Food handlers - In addition to formal food handlers, special attention needs to be
concentrated on informal street food vendors and hawkers.
Schools - Health education programmes in schools to be undertaken (lectures and
distribution of pamphlets i.e anti-litter campaign and worm infestation).
Informal/Underdeveloped areas - Initiate awareness programmes by providing
information with regard to disease prevention, AIDS, Typhoid, informal
slaughtering etc.
General Public - Assist in education (Smoking, fly and rodent control measures).
2. Food (Formal and Informal)
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Promoting hygienic handling of food within all food establishments as well as
informal sale of food (hawkers).
Inspections, investigations (food poisoning), Condemnations, Education and
Enforcement of legislation.
Ensure comliance with the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Sampling Food composition, quality and labeling).
Licensing of food premises.
Surveys (Contamination from toxins) and the issuing of public warnings.
Creating awareness with regard to the overuse of cooking oils.
Monitoring for safe meat supplies.
Ensure a safe milk and milk product supply,
3. Water
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Promote safe access to drinking water
Investigate complaints relating to water quality.
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Monitor water quality through regular sampling (Microbiological and Chemical).
Monitoring of recreational water bodies (Vleis, dams and rivers) for possible
pollution and contamination.
4. Infectious Disease Control
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Investigation of environmental factors relating to the spread of notifiable infectious
diseases, and putting preventative measures in place to limit the spread therof.
Compiling case histories with regard to Hepatitis, Typhoid and Cholera etc.
Cholera risk monitoring by means of placing "Moore Pads" at selected sampling
points, and the analysis of of results.
5. Shelter and Housing
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Promote the provision of dwellings, informal structures coducive to health (ensure
adequate ventilation etc).
Inspect informal settlements with a view to maintaining minimum hygiene
standards and promoting better living conditions.
6. Sanitation
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Ensure safe and timeous disposal of domestic, industrial and medical waste.
Evaluate and provide input where necessary as regards the efficiency of
sewerage/waste/stormwater systems.
Monitor refuse generation by residents and business community.
Ensure that problems related to sewerage removal in areas where inadequate
infrastructure exists (bucket sanitation), are eliminated.
Investigate flooding problems so as to provide input regarding future prevention.
Monitor and eliminate illegal waste water discharge into the storm water system
(industrial effluent).
Prevent and limit the spread of health signaficant pests throughout the community.
Monitor and control all offensive trades.
7. Pollution Control
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Assist with monitoring in terms of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act and
regulations related to smoke control.
Investigate, prevent, measure and monitor noise pollution.
8. Community Participation
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Initiate, organise or attend community participation meetings where advise and
guidance is required or offered.
Promote awareness programmes.
9. Planning and Building Development
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Assess and consider applications in terms of Land Use or Departures from the
Zoning Schemme Regulations, insofar as the impact on environmental health is
concerned.
Examine building plans and conduct site inspections to ensure compliance with
relevant health and building legislation.
Enforce regulations with regard to facilities for the disabled.
10. Institutional Health and Safety
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The EHP is responsible for maintaining standards at crèches, schools, old age
homes and other institutions.
11. Intersectoral Collaboration and Communication
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The EHP is in constant liason with other professional disciplines (Mechanical
Engineers, State Proscecutors, Architects, Doctors, Microbiologists and staff from
other municiple and state departments).
12. Law Enforcement and Legislation
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Initiate legal proceedings where health education/guidance has failed, in terms of
the Criminal Procedures Act.
Providing evidence in court.
Where possible, provide input with regard to improving health legislation.
Implementation of legislation (See Legislation).
13. Additional/Diverse Tasks
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Undertake projects (emphasis on under developed areas).
Provide input with regard to Environment impact assessments.
Serve on task groups and committees to deliver input on Environmental Health.
Responsible for criteria relating to exhumations.
Implementation of Animal Keeping legislation.
Participate in self developing courses.
Involved in Civil Protection exercises/disasters.
Training of student health professionals.