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Main Article Content
Public health problems
Abstract
During a recent discussion on the future of Public Health in South Africa at a representative meeting of Medical Officers of Health I was decidedly surprised by a statement from one of the senior members to the effect that eventually environmental sanitation would become the province of the City Engineer, leaving to the Medical Officer of Health only general health supervision as presently exists with water supplies and cleansing services. I was taken aback not only because such a statement, with its profound repercussions on health in this country, should be made but also because of the absence of a strong reaction from the members present. It appeared that there was a general acceptance of the suggestion or at least no marked aversion. Yet if this change did occur, it would represent the demolition of what has always been the main pillar of public health throughout the world and a sphere of endeavour in which much remains to be done in the areas of even the most highly developed health authorities.
