Public Health Laws

Question 1

Green paper Vs white paper

Answer 1

Green paper refers to a discussion document on policy options or preliminary statement

White paper refers to broad statement of government policy or collated inputs of the public

Question 2

Discuss a policy

Answer 2

Refers to a document that outlines what the government or an organisation is going to do and what it can achieve for the society as a whole

Examples include university policies, health insurance policy and life insurance policy.

Question 3

Legislation

Answer 3

Is another term for statutory law. These are laws that are embodied in writing and are known as statuses or acts.
They have been enacted by legislature or parliament.
Can also be referred to as the process of making laws

Question 4

Discuss a Bill

Answer 4

Is a proposed legislation that is under consideration by a legislature.
Once it is enacted into a law it is called an Act or Stature.
It becomes a law once it is passed by legislature or executives.

Question 5

Importance of public health laws

Answer 5

To ensure that people know how to act in a society.
Yo ensure and regulate that everyone follows the law.
To treat every person as equal and so that no person can consider himself above the law based on social standing.
The public can be aware of the intention of the government society.
Government can measure the achievement made by government.
Help respond to the needs of a society

Question 6

Principles guiding the formulation and implementation of the public health laws

Answer 6

Public health laws require public understanding and support.
Mutual accommodation
Public health laws require intersectoral initiatives for development and implementation.
Community resources should be solicited for enforcement
Implementation and enforcement require financial commitment

Question 7

Commonly used laws in health sciences

Answer 7

Constitution Act 108 of 1996- patients right charter.
Occupational health and safety act 85 of 1993- provide for health and safety of person at work and to protect public from hazards.
Compensation of occupational injuries and disease act 130 of 1993- to provide compensation for disablement or death caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained by employees in the course of their employment.
Health profession act 56 of 1974- establish HPCSA to provide control over the training, registration and practice of practitioner of health profession.
National health act 18 of 2004- provide a framework for a structured uniform health system within the Republic and clarifies powers and function of national, provincial and district health authorities