Public Health Act 2021
Officials from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other
Government departments have started the process of finalising various
provisions of the draft Bill for a new national public health law.
The proposed National Public Health Act has been in the works
since 2017 and, once enacted, will replace the 125-year-
old Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
What is the Background?
In 2017, the draft of the Public Health (Prevention, Control and
Management of Epidemics, Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Act,
2017 was released.
In September, 2020, it was announced that the Government
would formulate a national public health law (National Public
Health Bill).
What are the Expected Provisions of the Draft Bill?
Four-tier Health Administration Architecture:
o The draft Bill proposes a four-tier health administration
architecture, with “multisectoral” national, state, district and
block-level public health authorities who will have “well
defined” powers and functions to deal with “public health
emergencies”.
It is proposed to be headed by the Union Health Ministry,
and be chaired by health ministers of states.
District Collectors will lead the next tier, and block units
will be headed by Block Medical Officers or Medical
Superintendents.
These authorities will have powers to take measures for
the prevention of non-communicable diseases and
emerging infectious diseases.
, Creation of Public Health Cadres:
o The proposed law also provides for creation of public health
cadres at national and state levels.
Definition of Isolation, Quarantine and Lockdown:
o The draft Bill has defined various measures such as isolation,
quarantine and lockdown, which have been extensively
invoked by the Centre and states for Covid management.
It defines a lockdown as “restriction with certain
conditions or complete prohibition of running any form of
transport” on roads or inland water.
The definition of a lockdown covers “restrictions” on the
movement or gathering of persons in any place whether
public or private.
It also includes “prohibiting or restricting” the
working of factories, plants, mining or construction or
offices or Educational institutions or market places.
Situation for Declaring Public Health Emergency:
o The draft lays down several situations in which “public health
emergency” can be declared. They include
bioterrorism
appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated
infectious agent or biological toxin;
a natural disaster
a chemical attack or accidental release of chemicals
a nuclear attack or accident.
Officials from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other
Government departments have started the process of finalising various
provisions of the draft Bill for a new national public health law.
The proposed National Public Health Act has been in the works
since 2017 and, once enacted, will replace the 125-year-
old Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
What is the Background?
In 2017, the draft of the Public Health (Prevention, Control and
Management of Epidemics, Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Act,
2017 was released.
In September, 2020, it was announced that the Government
would formulate a national public health law (National Public
Health Bill).
What are the Expected Provisions of the Draft Bill?
Four-tier Health Administration Architecture:
o The draft Bill proposes a four-tier health administration
architecture, with “multisectoral” national, state, district and
block-level public health authorities who will have “well
defined” powers and functions to deal with “public health
emergencies”.
It is proposed to be headed by the Union Health Ministry,
and be chaired by health ministers of states.
District Collectors will lead the next tier, and block units
will be headed by Block Medical Officers or Medical
Superintendents.
These authorities will have powers to take measures for
the prevention of non-communicable diseases and
emerging infectious diseases.
, Creation of Public Health Cadres:
o The proposed law also provides for creation of public health
cadres at national and state levels.
Definition of Isolation, Quarantine and Lockdown:
o The draft Bill has defined various measures such as isolation,
quarantine and lockdown, which have been extensively
invoked by the Centre and states for Covid management.
It defines a lockdown as “restriction with certain
conditions or complete prohibition of running any form of
transport” on roads or inland water.
The definition of a lockdown covers “restrictions” on the
movement or gathering of persons in any place whether
public or private.
It also includes “prohibiting or restricting” the
working of factories, plants, mining or construction or
offices or Educational institutions or market places.
Situation for Declaring Public Health Emergency:
o The draft lays down several situations in which “public health
emergency” can be declared. They include
bioterrorism
appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated
infectious agent or biological toxin;
a natural disaster
a chemical attack or accidental release of chemicals
a nuclear attack or accident.
