Public health laws

What are public health laws and their function? Public health laws concern the health of a population rather than that of the individual. Legal aspects of providing preventive, curative and rehabilitative services, serving as protection for community health

Public health laws guides the establishment, financing and the running of health care facilities. Resource allocation is defined within public health laws. It helps with the organisation of health services and ensures quantity and quality of care, as well as equity access

Public health laws also entail protection of patient rights and control of the environment. It also prohibits conduct that is harmful to the health of the individual and communities e.g. tobacco control, alcohol and substance abuse.

Acts commonly used in the Department of Health (DoH) Constitution of RSA Occupational Health and Safety act COIDA Health Profession Act (Appendix B) National Health Bill National rehabilitation policy (Appendix C) Batho Pele (White paper) (Appendix D) The Declaration of Alma-Ata

Constitution of RSA The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No other law or government action can supersede the provisions of the Constitution.

Occupational Health and Safety act The Occupational Health and Safety Act aims to provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the activities of persons at work

COIDA The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, provides compulsory compensation for all employees under contract of employment (with a few exceptions) for death or personal injury suffered in the course of their employment

Health Profession Act (Appendix B) To establish the Health Professions Council of South Africa; to provide for control over the training, registration and practices of practitioners of health professions

National Health Bill To provide a framework for a structured uniform health system within the Republic

National rehabilitation policy Appendix C

Batho Pele Eight Batho Pele principles were developed to serve as acceptable policy and legislative framework regarding service delivery in the public service. These principles are aligned with the Constitution of SA.

The Declaration of Alma- Ata The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata), presently in Kazakhstan, 6-12 September 1978Almaty Kazakhstan It was the first international declaration underlining the importance of primary health careprimary health care