Sindh Epidemic Disease Act 2014 to protect public health

KARACHI - Governor Sindh- Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad has assented to the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014 aimed at consolidating the law for the prevention of epidemics of diseases in the province, said a handout issued recently.

According to the act, when the government suspects that the province is threatened with an outbreak of any disease, it may take or require or empower any person to take measures to prevent its spread.

The law further says: “In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the Government may take measures and prescribe regulations for the inspection of persons, travelling by railway or otherwise and the segregation in hospital, temporary accommodation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting officer, of being infected with any such disease.

“The Government may, with a general or special order, empower a Deputy Commissioner to exercise, in relation to the district, all the powers under this section, exerciseable by Government in relation to the Province, other than the power to determine, in what manner and by whom, any expenses incurred (including compensation if any) shall be defrayed.”