Latest news with #TamilNaduPublicHealthAct
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health standards to be enforced at events to curb disease spread
Chennai: The state health department, amid an increase in Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, has instructed district health officials to intensify supervision and enforcement of public health standards at large public gatherings , including religious congregations, social and cultural events, recreational programs, and political meetings. District magistrates and health officers can issue orders prohibiting assembling of people or restricting movement to contain the spread of disease, exercising powers under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act , 1939, a circular from Dr T S Selvavinayagam of Directorate of Public Health (DPH) said. "It is imperative to enforce public health standards to prevent disease outbreaks, ensure sanitation and public safety," he said. While the primary responsibility for ensuring essential services - water supply, sanitation, and waste disposal - rests with event organisers, local authorities are empowered to supervise, inspect, and enforce public health measures to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place. If local authorities fail, health officials must verify that organisers provide adequate sanitation, including toilets, safe drinking water, and proper waste disposal. All food stalls and temporary eateries require inspection and licensing. The public must have access to potable water, with sources subject to testing and chlorination monitoring. Vector control and solid waste management plans are mandatory, with real-time collection and adequate staffing for sanitation teams. Health officers must supervise all arrangements. They also have the authority to issue immediate orders for deficiencies. Non-compliance will be penalised under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Health officials told to prevent outbreak of diseases at public gatherings across TN
CHENNAI: The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has reissued instructions to all district health officers to ensure public health safeguards to prevent disease outbreaks, ensure sanitation and protect public safety. Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr TS Selvavinayagam, said the instructions were issued under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, to enforce public health measures during social, recreational, religious and other mass gatherings in the light of increasing frequency and magnitude of public gatherings, including religious congregations, social and cultural events, recreational programmes and political meetings, across TN. The officers have been instructed to supervise, inspect and enforce essential services such as water supply, waste disposal and sanitation during the events and to establish surveillance mechanisms to detect clustering of cases or outbreaks. In the event of a public health emergency, district magistrate and health officers are authorised to issue orders prohibiting assemblies or restricting movement. Selvavinayagam told TNIE the focus is on waterborne and food-borne infections and it was not not related to resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Health standards to be enforced at events to curb disease spread
TNN Chennai: The state health department, amid an increase in Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, has instructed district health officials to intensify supervision and enforcement of public health standards at large public gatherings, including religious congregations, social and cultural events, recreational programs, and political meetings. District magistrates and health officers can issue orders prohibiting assembling of people or restricting movement to contain the spread of disease, exercising powers under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, a circular from Dr T S Selvavinayagam of Directorate of Public Health (DPH) said. "It is imperative to enforce public health standards to prevent disease outbreaks, ensure sanitation and public safety," he said. While the primary responsibility for ensuring essential services — water supply, sanitation, and waste disposal — rests with event organisers, local authorities are empowered to supervise, inspect, and enforce public health measures to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place. If local authorities fail, health officials must verify that organisers provide adequate sanitation, including toilets, safe drinking water, and proper waste disposal. All food stalls and temporary eateries require inspection and licensing. The public must have access to potable water, with sources subject to testing and chlorination monitoring. Vector control and solid waste management plans are mandatory, with real-time collection and adequate staffing for sanitation teams. Health officers must supervise all arrangements. They also have the authority to issue immediate orders for deficiencies. Non-compliance will be penalised under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939. TOI
