Public Health Act (No. 17 of 2024).
Country
Type of law
Legislation
Abstract
This Act lays down provisions on the functions of the Minister, Secretary, and Medical Officer of Health; health impact assessments and public health partnerships; development and implementation of Public Health Plans at the national and islands level; establishment and functions of the National Public Health Committee; general duty to take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent or minimize any harm to public health; offences of causing risk to public health and penalties; vaccination; declaration and reporting of notifiable condition and notifiable pathogen; Secretary's powers to prevent spread of infection; notifiable communicable diseases, public health emergencies, and serious incidents; notification requirements for and enforcement of orders; quarantine and screening tests on arrival in Cook Islands; health promotion objectives and functions; enforcement of compliance notices; duties and powers of authorized officers; and appeal to the Court.
Part 6 of this Act addresses quality of water intended for human consumption, penalties for non-compliance with water quality order or notice, breach of general duty in relation to disease vectors, antimicrobial resistance, and guidelines for water monitoring and testing and disease vectors. In preparing and implementing the plan required under section 56, the Secretary must consider current practices and requirements relating to all of the following matters: (a) antimicrobial residue limits in food; (b) inspection of imported foods for possible antimicrobial residues; (c) monitoring of the supply and use of antimicrobials across the Cook Islands and any reports of antimicrobial resistance; (d) commercial importation of antimicrobial medicines for human and animal use into the Cook Islands; (e) prescribing, supply, and use of antimicrobials for humans and animals; (f) primary production controls in relation to the use of antimicrobials in animal feed; (g) discharge of microbial residues into the environment; (h) assessment of the potential risk to public health presented by the supply and use of antimicrobials; and (i) infection control procedures in hospitals and health care facilities.
Part 6 of this Act addresses quality of water intended for human consumption, penalties for non-compliance with water quality order or notice, breach of general duty in relation to disease vectors, antimicrobial resistance, and guidelines for water monitoring and testing and disease vectors. In preparing and implementing the plan required under section 56, the Secretary must consider current practices and requirements relating to all of the following matters: (a) antimicrobial residue limits in food; (b) inspection of imported foods for possible antimicrobial residues; (c) monitoring of the supply and use of antimicrobials across the Cook Islands and any reports of antimicrobial resistance; (d) commercial importation of antimicrobial medicines for human and animal use into the Cook Islands; (e) prescribing, supply, and use of antimicrobials for humans and animals; (f) primary production controls in relation to the use of antimicrobials in animal feed; (g) discharge of microbial residues into the environment; (h) assessment of the potential risk to public health presented by the supply and use of antimicrobials; and (i) infection control procedures in hospitals and health care facilities.
Attached files
Web site
Long title of text
An Act to protect and promote the health of all the people of the Cook Islands, including by— (a) reducing the incidence of diseases and ill-health; and (b) encouraging planning and community involvement to deliver better health outcomes.
Date of text
Entry into force notes
This Act comes into force on a date appointed by the King’s Representative by Order in Executive Council.
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No