Department of Public Health

Carren L Mwaanga

Acting Director Public Health

The Public Health Department safeguards the health of the community by preventing, controlling and eliminating diseases. Additionally it is mandated with solid waste management and the delivery of targeted health education to help people live longer and healthier lives.

Mandate

Our core mandate is drawn from the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019, Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, Solid Waste Regulation and Management No. 20 of 2018, Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011, and the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.

These pieces of legislation employ the department to deliver district-wide programmes and projects to prevent, control, and eliminate diseases, enforce Environmental Health, Port Health, Food, and Drugs policies to reduce outbreak risks. They also mandate us to inspect food outlets, workplaces, and public nuisances. To uphold health standards Run awareness campaigns and enforce the Public Health Act through community education Execute pest and vector control operations Manage cemeteries, crematoria, and burial services for safe, sanitary disposal of human remains

Key Services

Disease Prevention & Control
• Community health screenings
• Vaccination drives and outbreak response
Environmental & Port Health
• Waste-management guidelines
• Ship and border health inspections
Food Safety & Workplace Inspections
• Routine audits of restaurants, markets, and factories
• Compliance certification

Public Awareness & Education
• Workshops, school programmes, and media campaigns
• IEC materials and behaviour-change initiatives

Pest & Vector Management
• Mosquito, rodent, and vector surveillance
• Spraying and community clean-up events
Funeral & Burial Services
• Cemetery administration and plot allocation/
• Crematorium operations and mortuary support

Public Health Inspectorate Unit

Overview

Ensures adherence to health standards through inspections, compliance certification and nuisance control

Mandate

Inspect food premises, workplaces, and public nuisances
Mitigate infectious disease risks in communities
Issue certificates of compliance to approved facilities
Key Service Activities
Perform routine and complaint-driven inspections
Test food samples and inspect water quality
Enforce abatement of nuisances (e.g., stagnant water, refuse)
Certify food vendors, factories, and public establishments
Follow up on corrective actions and compliance reports

Health Promotion Unit

Overview

Leads social mobilisation, information campaigns, and behaviour change initiatives to raise health awareness.

Mandate

Develop and disseminate health promotion and IEC materials
Coordinate media partnerships and community outreach
Enforce the Public Health Act through sensitization
Key Service Activities
Design and print posters, flyers, and digital content
Organize school and community health talks
Coordinate radio, TV, and social media campaigns
Conduct surveys to gauge public knowledge and attitudes
Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of promotion programmes

Public Health Unit

Overview

Charged with disease prevention, control and health promotion through research surveillance and community engagement.

Mandate

Determine community health status via research and surveys
Monitor disease trends and epidemiological patterns
Enforce public health guidelines and standards
Support stakeholders with technical expertise
Drive quality assurance and programme performance
Key Service Activities
Conduct community health assessments and needs surveys
Collaborate on outbreak investigations and surveillance
Develop and deliver public health education sessions
Provide training and technical support to clinics and NGOs
Monitor and evaluate impact of health programmes

Enviromental Health

Overview

Implements environmental, food, drugs and port health policies to mitigate hazards and protect public well-being

Mandate

Enforce Environmental Health, Food and Drugs, and Port Health legislation
Promote intersectoral collaboration for healthy environments
Coordinate epidemic preparedness and emergency response
Oversee solid waste and healthcare waste management
Key Service Activities
Issue permits and guidelines for waste handlers and facilities
Conduct hygiene and sanitation campaigns in communities
Lead climate-health adaptation planning with stakeholders
Inspect waste collection, transport, and disposal sites
Train local authorities on environmental health best practices

Cleansing and Pest Control Unit

Overview

Manages Pest and vector populations and maintains urban cleanliness to reduce disease transmission

Mandate

Plan and execute vector control operations e.g malaria

Oversee street cleaning, drain maintenance, and refuse removal

enforce regulations safe pesticide and disinfectant use

Conduct indoor residual spraying and larviciding campaigns

Deploy spray teams for rodents, mosquitoes, and other pests

Coordinate community clean-up drives and awareness sessions

Monitor pest hotspots and produce control reports

Maintain equipment and stock of approved chemicals

Funeral Services Unit

Overview

Provides dignified sanitary and culturally appropriate funeral and burial service.

Mandate

Administer cemeteries and crematoria

Ensure safe handling and disposal of human remains

Support families with funeral arrangements

Key Service Activities

Manage burial plots and maintain grounds

Operate cremation facilities and certify ashes disposal

Issue burial permits and death certificates

Offer mortuary storage and transport services

Provide grief-support information and referrals

Chipata City Council