PUBLIC HEALTH CADRE High Level Expert Group (HLEG) of the Planning Commission has strongly recommended a Public Health Cadre as a specialized public health system management cadre at all levels. Only Tamil Nadu has a separate Public Health Directorate manned by professional public health managers having own budget and legal support. Officials of Public Health cadre would be trained in public health planning, priority setting, management, financing, programme implementation, monitoring, supervision and leadership skills.
An expert group has been constituted to provide necessary assistance to state governments in establishing,training and mentoring of Public Health Cadre. The concept note on creation of Public Health Cadre prepared by the expert group is being shared with the state governments. The State Governments are advised To assess the existing structure and work out the proposal for an independent Public Health Cadre as per requirement of the state. To work out draft policy for creation of a Public Health Cadre and prepare a road map at the earliest.
PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION Existing Public Health Acts at central and state levels need re-look to deal with changing public health priorities. Presently only Tamil Nadu, Union Territories of Goa, Daman and Diu and Assam have public health legislation. Many other states are in the process of drafting their own Public Health Act. States having a separate Public Health Act may like to re-examine the existing provisions for amendments to cover all aspects of public health.
The states not having a separate Public Health Act may like to have an independent public health legislation as per specific requirements of the states. An expert group has been constituted to assist state governments in drafting a dedicated public health legislation catering to specific requirement of the states. The concept note prepared by the expert committee is being shared with the state governments.
The State Governments are advised To assess the existing legal framework and examinethe need for a Public Health Legislation as per requirement of the state. To work out draft policy for enacting a Public Health Act and prepare a road map.