Wrap-up of today’s Environmental Health Day talks by the Executive Manager of Community Services, Clive Africa

“Section 24 of the Constitution of South Africa reads that everyone has a right to a safe and healthy environment. At the Garden Route District Municipality, we, the administration and our political elected officials, are very serious about protecting the rights of our citizens. Municipal Health Services in the district are performed by our 40 Environmental Health Practitioners, previously known as Health Inspectors. These officials do regular health and hygiene inspections at schools, créches, shops, butcheries, barber shops, hospitals and many other facilities.”

“I think you would agree with me that we live in one of the most beautiful places in our country and we have a collective responsibility to preserve our heritage – especially for future generations to come. But, we are noting that the issue of illegal dumping is becoming a huge problem within our communities. Illegal dumpsites are places where diseases easily spread and where rats and other vectors breed. These places are causing our people and in particular, children, to get sick. We have seen this, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and many families have lost loved ones because of this illness.”

“We, therefore, urge the people of the district to eliminate illegal dumping within the next 5 years. Now, this is achievable – if everyone works together, we can do it!”

“We ask you to report any incidents of illegal dumping at your local municipal offices. The motto of municipal health is “prevention is better than cure”. We will continue to urge the public to still apply good hygiene practices by continuing to wash hands and sanitise regularly.”

“Health education remains one of our most critical functions and we will keep on informing the public on any health-related issue because what you don’t know can possibly harm you or kill you,” – Clive Africa, Executive Manager: Community Services, Garden Route District Municipality.

Read more about Environmental Health Practitioners here.

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