National Department of Health

1. National Department of Health LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003

2. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Nursing Bill 2003 To amend the Nursing Act No 50 of 1978 To provide for a legal framework for the transformation of the Nursing Council To streamline the relationship between the Minister and the Council, facilitate the implementation of departmental policies and filling of departmental needs relating to nurses. The draft Bill is to be submitted to Cabinet in April 2003.

3. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Health Professions Amendment Bill, 2003 To amend the Health Professions Act No 56 of 1974 To give the Council the powers it requires for the effective regulation of the professions concerned and to provide for related matters. The Bill also seeks to promote transformation of the Health Professions Council and to refine the relationship of the Council with the Minister. The draft will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in April 2003.

4. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Dental Technicians Amendment Bill, 2003 To amend the Dental Technicians Act No 19 of 1979. To allow persons who gained informal training through experience to register as professionals. To effect the transformation of the Dental Technicians Council to streamline the relationship of the Council with the Minister. Bill to be submitted to Cabinet in April 2003

5. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Pharmacy Amendment Bill, 2003 To amend the Pharmacy Act No 53 of 1974. To provide a legal framework for the transformation of the Pharmacy Council. There is a need for transformation of the council and to streamline its relationship with the Minister to enable it to better meet the needs and initiatives of the Department in relation to pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. Bill to be submitted to Cabinet in July 2003.

6. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Traditional Healers Bill 2003 To create a legal framework for the regulation of the profession of traditional healers and also to create a statutory body that would regulate the profession and protect the public. Bill to be submitted to Cabinet for approval in June 2003.

7. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill, 2003 To amend the Tobacco Products Control Act, No 83 of 1993 so as to clearly create certain offences and to increase penalties applicable to certain offences. The draft Bill will be submitted to Cabinet in April 2003.

8. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill The issue of the designation of facilities to perform terminations of pregnancy needs to be addressed. The thinking is that facilities equipped to deliver babies should be able to perform TOP. Amendment be submitted to Cabinet by or before September 2003.

9. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Bill, 2003 There is a need to regulate complementary medicines, to make provision for the creation of new categories of medicines and certain powers of the Medicines Control Council and to make further provision for the control by the Council of certain kinds of medical devices and various other matters of a technical nature. Bill to be submitted to Cabinet for approval in September 2003.

10. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Red Cross Bill, 2003 There is a need for a legislative framework for a formal relationship between the South African Red Cross and the government to ensure that health efforts in rescue and disaster management are properly co-ordinated so as to avoid duplication of efforts of government and the South African Red Cross and a waste of scarce resources. Bill to be sent to Cabinet in September 2003

11. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Sterilisation Amendment Bill There is a need to clarify certain provisions of the Sterilisation Act No 44 of 1998 so that they will be interpreted in a manner which supports the constitutional rights of persons affected by the Act. Currently the Act is not being interpreted correctly within the provinces. Amendment to be submitted to Cabinet in September 2003.

12. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 Foodstuffs,Cosmetics and Disinfectants Amendment Act, 2003 To amend the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1973 (Act No 54 of 1973) so as to provide for stricter control of the spread of foodborne diseases and other matters relating to the control of foodstuffs; to regulate food premises and the medical examination of food handlers and the importation and exportation of foodstuffs . Bill to be submitted to Cabinet in September 2003.

13. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 National Health Bill 2003 To provide for a legislative and regulatory framework for a structured national health system within the Republic of South Africa. The National Health Bill was submitted to Cabinet in 2002. It must be certified by the State Law Advisors and tabled in Parliament in 2003.

14. LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE 2003 South African Medical Research Council Amendment Bill 2003 It is necessary to redefine a number of issues, including the role of the Medical Research Council, in the light of changes in current thinking relating to public health. The amendments will bring the activities and role of the MRC into line with Departmental public health initiatives and enable it to assist in meeting Departmental needs in this regard. Bill to be submitted to Cabinet for approval in July 2003.