Zims Public Health Act untouched for 90 years

• Published date: 05 September 2016
• Publication title: The Sunday News

ZIMBABWE has been sitting on the Public Health Act for the past 90 years which should be assisting the operations of the health ministry in respect of a good health status for the nation, Sunday News can exclusive reveal.

This was said by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Gerald Gwinji at a Public Health Act review meeting in Harare today.

'In Zimbabwe the Public Health Act 15.09 this is a 1924 instrument, it is a principle law regulating public health matters in Zimbabwe being administered by the health ministry in protecting public health in various levels over the last 90 years. This is a bill that has not been reviewed for the past 90 years,' said Dr Gwinji.

The lack of the holistic review in 90 years, Dr Gwinji said, has led to a number of shortfalls too. He said since 1924 it has not been reviewed and is now a mere piece of paper with good principles but with a lot of gaps.

'It has shortfalls, gaps and we now have new areas that we need to talk about and as it stands it does not address the current public health issues for instance it does not address non communicable diseases maternal health, crossbred risks new epidemics to name a few.

It does not talk to new methodologies that are there today, it has failed to incorporate norms and constitutional provisions and individuals and social rights. It also does not reflect on post-independence health policies and also falls short in the areas of terminology,' he noted.

He said in 1993 attempts were made to review the act but hit a brick wall.

During the meeting Members of Parliament present said the concern largely centers on the time the ministry has taken to revise the act to make it relevant to today.

They questioned why it has taken 90 years to make it a functional document

Dr Gwinji however said the draft bill is now at the Attorney Generals office.

'The draft bill is at the AG's office, when we propose something we send it to the Cabinet committee on legislation and it sails through, we took it to Cabinet and there was a lot of movement as it was being looked at but it was approved by the principles of the Public Health Act. After this we will formally drafted it and we are looking forward to it going through this current parliamentary session,' he said.

He said after...