Public Health Ordinance, 1960
The principal public-health law of Sierra Leone, providing for the protection of public health, disease control and sanitation.
Summary
The Public Health Ordinance, 1960 is the long-standing principal law for the protection of public health in Sierra Leone. It provides the framework for preventing and controlling disease and for the regulation of sanitation and environmental health.
The Ordinance provides for measures to prevent and control the spread of communicable and infectious diseases (including notification, isolation and quarantine), the regulation of sanitation, nuisances, water supply, food and housing conditions affecting health, and the powers and duties of health authorities and officers. It creates offences and penalties for breach. It has been amended over the years and remains central to public-health administration.
Main provisions
- Provides for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
- Provides for notification, isolation and quarantine measures.
- Regulates sanitation, nuisances, water, food and housing affecting health.
- Confers powers and duties on health authorities and officers.
- Creates offences and penalties for breach of public-health requirements.