01 Apr 2013

Parliament has passed the Public Health Bill. The Bill was passed with two amendments only.

Clause 24 that made it an offence for people to have things in their premises that would likely breed insects and vectors that may spread diseases was removed from the Bill.

That was after the MP for Lobatse Mr Nehemiah Modubule made a notice of amendment to the clause.

Part of clause 177, which proposed additional daily P500 penalty for a person contravening the Public Health Act, was also removed. The amendment was also noticed by Mr Modubule, who felt the additional penalty was harsh on members of the society.

However, a proposed amendment to clause 116, which dealt with transmission of HIV was rejected. The clause proposed punishment for a person who was aware of being infected with HIV to place another person at risk of being infected by the virus.

The clause at sub-section seven gave medical practitioners authority where necessary to inform partners, or care-givers of people infected with HIV about the status of such people.

Some MPs, including Mr Isaac Mabiletsa of Kgatleng East, Mr Odirile Motlhale of South East South and Mr Phillip Khwae of Kgalagadi North argued that the clause was not fair.

Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing, however argued that the clause aimed at curbing reckless behaviour of some HIV infected people who put others at risk of contracting the virus.

Dr Seakgosing tabled a bill last December to repeal, re-enact, consolidate and amend the existing public health legislation promulgated in 1971.

In his presentation, the minister had outlined that such would strengthen the current Public Health Act by making it relevant to contemporary public health issues. 

He explained that prevailing conditions concerning public health matters necessitated a review of the existing Act.

The minister has also argued that the existing law could no longer cope with challenges emanating from re-emerging diseases, human rights, environmental degradation, and internal or cross border health surveillance.

Meanwhile, Parliament has also passed the Medicines and Related Substances Bill presented last week. MPs overwhelmingly supported the Bill which went for Committee Stage and no amendments were made to the 69 clauses.

The Bill provides for registration, regulation of sale, distribution, importation, manufacture and dispensing of medicines and related substances. It is also expected to control bad practices such as illegal sale of medicine and drugs once it became a Law. ENDS