The Department of Health Services safeguards the health of the community by preventing, controlling and eliminating diseases. Additionally, it is mandated with solid waste management and the delivery of targeted health education to help people live longer and healthier lives.

Mandate

Our core mandate is drawn from the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019, Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, Solid Waste Regulation and Management No. 20 of 2018, Liquor Licensing Act No. 20 of 2011, and the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia. 

These pieces of legislation employ the department to deliver district-wide programmes and projects to prevent, control, and eliminate diseases, enforce Environmental Health, Port Health, Food, and Drugs policies to reduce outbreak risks. They also mandate us to inspect food outlets, workplaces, and public nuisances. To uphold health standards Run awareness campaigns and enforce the Public Health Act through community education Execute pest and vector control operations Manage cemeteries, crematoria, and burial services for safe, sanitary disposal of human remains

Key Services

Disease Prevention & Control
• Community health screenings
• Vaccination drives and outbreak response
Environmental & Port Health
• Waste-management guidelines
• Ship and border health inspections
Food Safety & Workplace Inspections
• Routine audits of restaurants, markets, and factories
• Compliance certification

Public Awareness & Education
• Workshops, school programmes, and media campaigns
• IEC materials and behaviour-change initiatives

Pest & Vector Management
• Mosquito, rodent, and vector surveillance
• Spraying and community clean-up events
Funeral & Burial Services
• Cemetery administration and plot allocation
• Crematorium operations and mortuary support

Public Health Unit

Environmental Health

Overview

Charged with disease prevention, control and health promotion through research, surveillance and community engagement.

Overview

Implements environmental, food, drugs and port health policies to mitigate hazards and protect public well-being

Mandate

·         Determine community health status via research and surveys

·         Monitor disease trends and epidemiological patterns

·         Enforce public health guidelines and standards

·         Support stakeholders with technical expertise

·         Drive quality assurance and programme performance

·         Key Service Activities

·         Conduct community health assessments and needs surveys

·         Collaborate on outbreak investigations and surveillance

·         Develop and deliver public health education sessions

·         Provide training and technical support to clinics and NGOs

·         Monitor and evaluate impact of health programmes

Mandate

·         Enforce Environmental Health, Food and Drugs, and Port Health legislation

·         Promote inter-sectoral collaboration for healthy environments

·         Coordinate epidemic preparedness and emergency response

·         Oversee solid waste and healthcare waste management

·         Key Service Activities

·         Issue permits and guidelines for waste handlers and facilities

·         Conduct hygiene and sanitation campaigns in communities

·         Lead climate-health adaptation planning with stakeholders

·         Inspect waste collection, transport, and disposal sites

·         Train local authorities on environmental health best practices

Public Health Inspectorate Unit

Health Promotion Unit

Overview

Ensures adherence to health standards through inspections, compliance certification and nuisance control 

Overview

Leads social mobilization, information campaigns, and behavior change initiatives to raise health awareness.

Mandate

·         Inspect food premises, workplaces, and public nuisances

·         Mitigate infectious disease risks in communities

·         Issue certificates of compliance to approved facilities

·         Key Service Activities

·         Perform routine and complaint-driven inspections

·         Test food samples and inspect water quality

·         Enforce abatement of nuisances (e.g., stagnant water, refuse)

·         Certify food vendors, factories, and public establishments

·         Follow up on corrective actions and compliance reports

Mandate

·         Develop and disseminate health promotion and IEC materials

·         Coordinate media partnerships and community outreach

·         Enforce the Public Health Act through sensitization

·         Key Service Activities

·         Design and print posters, flyers, and digital content

·         Organize school and community health talks

·         Coordinate radio, TV, and social media campaigns

·         Conduct surveys to gauge public knowledge and attitudes

·         Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of promotion programmes

Cleansing and Pest Control Unit

Funeral Services Unit

Overview

Manages pest and vector populations and maintains urban cleanliness to reduce disease transmission.

Overview

Provides degnified sanitary and culturally appropriate funeral and burial service.

Mandate

·         Plan and execute vector control operations (e.g., malaria, dengue)

·         Oversee street cleaning, drain maintenance, and refuse removal

·         Enforce regulations on safe pesticide and disinfectant use

·         Key Service Activities

·         Conduct indoor residual spraying and larviciding campaigns

·         Deploy spray teams for rodents, mosquitoes, and other pests

·         Coordinate community clean-up drives and awareness sessions

·         Monitor pest hotspots and produce control reports

·         Maintain equipment and stock of approved chemicals

Mandate

·         Administer cemeteries and crematoria

·         Ensure safe handling and disposal of human remains

·         Support families with funeral arrangements

·         Key Service Activities

·         Manage burial plots and maintain grounds

·         Operate cremation facilities and certify ashes disposal

·         Issue burial permits and death certificates

·         Offer mortuary storage and transport services

·         Provide grief-support information and referrals