PREAMBLE

The Environmental Health and Management Department has the mandate to ensure that all factors that may have adverse effects on human health and the environment are brought under control. It therefore behooves the Department, with support from the Assembly, to ensure that this responsibility is executed in accordance with environmental laws.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Environmental Health and Management Department is to prevent environmental hazards and any negative impacts that the environment may have on human beings.

The Department is therefore responsible for assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing factors in the environment that can adversely affect the health of both present and future generations.

MISSION

The Environmental Health and Management Department exists to maintain a clean, safe, and pleasant environment in all human settlements and to promote the social, economic, and physical well-being of all sections of the population.

VISION

The vision of the Environmental Health and Management Department is to improve and promote public health standards for all people within the North Dayi District.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE EHMD

THE FRONTLINE OFFICERS

The frontline officers of the Environmental Health and Management Department (EHMD) are responsible for enforcing environmental health standards within the jurisdiction of the North Dayi District.

The specific responsibilities of these officers are as follows:

1. Creating and maintaining a database of all premises of environmental health importance within the District.
2. Inspecting all identified premises, including residential homes, healthcare facilities, industries, hospitality establishments, schools, and shops, to assess their sanitation and public health conditions and ensure that any necessary corrective actions are taken.
3. Monitoring environmental sanitation facilities and activities.
4. Compiling and reporting issues that require inter-sectoral collaboration.
5. Managing complaints.
6. Providing health education and promotion activities.

AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL

1. Translating approved departmental programmes and plans into operational activities.
2. Monitoring and supervising the implementation of approved activities.
3. Reporting the outcomes of implemented activities to the Assembly.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE

1. Serving on the Central Management Board.
2. Providing leadership and direction to district teams.
3. Collecting, collating, and analyzing data.
4. Identifying priority and general environmental health problems.
5. Developing local action plans.
6. Creating and maintaining a database of all premises of environmental health importance.
7. Monitoring environmental health activities within the metropolis, including burial grounds, pest and pet control, and poultry and livestock rearing.
8. Conducting pre-inspections of facilities on behalf of the district assembly for registration by the EHMD and licensing by the Assembly.
9. Compiling and reporting outcomes and issues requiring inter-sectoral collaboration.
10. Monitoring and managing complaints.
11. Planning health promotion activities in support of ongoing programmes.
12. Interpreting sanitation bye-laws for the general public.

SPECIALIZED UNITS OF THE EHMD

Apart from field officers, there are several specialized units within the EHMD. Their responsibilities are outlined below:

1. ABATTOIRS, SLAUGHTERHOUSES, AND SLAUGHTER SLABS

These officers carry out post-mortem inspections of carcasses and ensure healthy environmental conditions within meat processing facilities.

2. THE MARKET SANITATION TEAM

Staff are assigned to markets to ensure proper sanitation, food hygiene, and food safety.

3. THE HOSPITAL SANITATION TEAM

Staff are assigned to healthcare facilities to assist in implementing measures that address environmental health concerns.

4. THE SEXTON AND HIS TEAM

These staff members are assigned to manage public cemeteries and ensure the proper and dignified disposal of the dead.

5. THE SANIGANG

These are laborers organized into a work gang to provide services such as grass cutting, desilting drains, and carrying out other sanitation-related tasks as required.

6. THE PROSECUTION TEAM

These staff members are assigned to the courts to ensure the prompt prosecution of sanitary offenders.

7. THE PORT HEALTH TEAM

These officers are assigned to manage environmental and public health issues at the port.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN ACCESS THESE SERVICES

The general public can access these services through:

1. Direct contact with the EHMD office at the NDDA Main Office, Anfoega.
2. The electronic and print media.
3. Messages addressed to the Assembly (EHMD).
4. Participation in radio discussions and public engagement programmes.