Health Department

Responsibilities:

The Health Section is responsible for the following activities and services:

Solid Waste Management- Programs include:

• • Clean School Program

• The program assists school in starting proper waste management
• It also creates awareness concept of waste minimization targeting students in schools which can later be practised at home and communities.

Food Safety Programs

• • Ensures that all food establishments operate within the statutory requirements of the Food Safety Act 2003 and Food Safety Regulations 2009.

This includes:

• Systematic inspections of premises
• Food and water sampling
• Condemnation of food that is deemed to be unfit for human consumption
• Restaurant Grading
• Food monitoring and surveillance
• Food handlers and food businesses operators’ trainings and awareness
• Attending and investigating food related complaints received

Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Works 

• • These are activities that reduces and eliminates the transmissions of pathogens that spreads Dengue Fever and transmissions of other diseases like Leptospirosis and Typhoid.

Activities like:

• Mosquito larvae survey: Collection of larval samples to determine its species and overall assessing an area for potential disease outbreaks which can be a risk to public health.
• Source reductions: This involves removal of mosquito breeding sites and clearing of waste (green and white) from premises. Collections will be done as per the green waste schedule and white goods collection schedules for each area.
• Mosquito spraying during an outbreak: Adult mosquito spraying is normally done after a major clean up campaign where all potential breeding sites has been destructed. Spraying to done to kill adult mosquitoes. This is an effective way of controlling mosquito population.
• Disease Investigation: Investigations of confirmed cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid and Dengue Fever.

Processing of Building Applications

• Scrutinize building plans ensuring compliance of relevant regulations (National Building Code & Public Health Act & Regulations) from public health perspective.
• Areas in which the section will focus on and ensuring compliances are:
• Associate drainage fixtures such as provision of gully traps, inspection chambers rubble drains and soakage pits
• Roof drainage
• Lighting and ventilation             
• Sizes and heights of kitchen, bedroom, ablution facilities.       
• Setbacks of septic tanks
• Access & Egress
• Inspects and gives recommendations of sites for issuance of completion certificates.
• Inspects and gives recommendations of sites seeking temporary occupancy.

Awareness/Community Engagement Programs

• • The department prepares educational information within communities and schools to discuss and address relevant issues like proper rubbish disposal methods and schedules, food safety, LTDs, 3R promotion, composting and etc.

Licensing

• •  Licensing of premises is required to ensure that meets statutory requirements of relevant laws and regulations and also allows/permits a business to do business in Nasinu. This includes food business operators, bakehouses, warehouses, supermarkets, liquor, nightclubs and taverns, accommodation, including license to purchase, store, use and retail methylated spirits.

Licensing of Food Establishments

• All food establishments require health license prior and during operation and is renewed on annual basis.
• This is a requirement by the Ministry of Health which is pursuant to Section 16 & 17 of the Food Safety Act 2003.
• Outlined below are some of the requirements that needs to be accompanied with the form provided:
• Valid Business Registration Certificate
• Tax Compliance Certificate
• Previous Years Health License
• Valid Identification Card
• NFA & OHS Compliance Certificates

Licensing of Liquor Premises

• All premises that sells liquor require approval from Council and other stakeholders like NFA, OHS, Police and Liquor Tribunal Board.
• Only commercialised premises/properties are permitted to sell liquor. This is as per General Provisions of the Approved Nasinu Town Council Scheme Plan.
• Outlined below are some of the requirements that needs to be accompanied with the form provided:
• Valid Business Registration Certificate
• Tax Compliance Certificate
• Previous Years Health License
• Liquor License from Liquor Tribunal Board
• Valid Identification Card
• NFA & OHS Compliance Certificates

Licensing of Hotel/Accommodation Premises

• All premises that intends convert premises be used as a hotel require approval from Council and other stakeholders like NFA, OHS, Police and Hotel Licensing Authority.
• Outlined below are some of the requirements that needs to be accompanied with the form given from the Hotel Licensing Authority.
• Valid Business Registration Certificate
• Tax Compliance Certificate
• Current Hotel License
• Valid Identification Card
• NFA & OHS Compliance Certificates

Methylated Spirit License

The following documents are to be submitted for issuance or renewal of methylated spirit license:

• Business Registration
• TIN registration letter
• Valid Photo Identification

Other Works Include:

• Dog Trapping

The Council is working closely and is dependent on Ministry of Agriculture to help curb the stray dog issue. The current method is ‘Trap-Neuter and Release’ which controls future population but will not eradicate the current stray dog issue immediately. Given the dog pound limitations, Council is conducting dog trapping exercises from Mondays to Wednesdays only.

Processing of Permits

Health Section receives applications and processes the following applications:

• Hire of open spaces
• Door to door collections
• Street appeals
• Evangelism/Crusade Programs
• Open Air Outreach (Markets)-
• Open Air Outreach (Open Spaces)
• Cent-a-vote card fundraising
• Outdoor broadcasting
• 7s a side soccer/Penalty shoot-out
• Banner Hanging
• Ground Hire (Valelevu Grounds)- fun day, church crusade, parking,
• Carnival (Valelevu & Laqere Ground)
• Surveys/Data Collection
• Roadshows

Resource to Download:

1. Application for Health Report for the issuance of Health License
2. Application for Liquor Report for the issuance of Liquor License
3. Application for Hotel Report for the issuance of Hotel License
4. Application for Methylated Spirit Licence