Environmental and Solid Waste Management
The Division of Health is responsible for solid waste management in the town. It is
important to ensure the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded
because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful
Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and these
conditions in turn can lead to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of vector-borne
disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents and insects.
Proper solid-waste collection is important for the protection of public health, safety, and
environmental quality.
Public Health Services
Public health is a very important pillar or core function of the Division of Health.
Public health has been defined as “the science and art of preventing disease”, prolonging life
and improving quality of life through organized efforts and informed choices
of society, organizations (public and private), communities and individuals.
There are 3 core functions of public health services that is implemented on a daily basis:
Assessment
1. Monitor environmental and health status to identify and solve community environmental
health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate environmental health problems and health hazards in the
community.
Policy Development
1. Inform, educate, and empower people about environmental health issues
2. Mobilize community partnerships and actions to identify and solve environmental health
problems
3. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community environmental health
efforts
Assurance
1. Enforce laws and regulations that protect environmental health and ensure safety
Occupational health services
The Health Division ensures that a safe and healthy environment is fostered for the entire town.
Occupational health is a multidisciplinary field of healthcare concerned with enabling an
individual to undertake their occupation, in the way that causes least harm to their health. It
aligns with the promotion of health and safety at work, which is concerned with preventing harm
from hazards in the workplace.
Business registration
All businesses within the jurisdiction of Rehoboth should register with the Division of Health. It
is important to note that all business fitness and registration certificates expires on 31st March of
every year.
Failure to register your business will result in immediate closure of your business or legal action
will be taken.
The process of registering your business are:
– Documentation
The following documents are required when registering a business: Certified copy of ID,
2x passport photos, in the case of a non-Namibian, a valid work permit or work visa will
be required, valid copy of BIPA document
– Registration form
Collect an application for business registration form from the office of the health
inspectorate. Complete the form with all relevant information.
– Payment
Ensure that payment is done for the specific type of business as per the approved tariff,
and then submit the application form to the health inspectorate.
– Inspection
An inspection of the premises from which you intend doing business will be done
approximately 2 to 5 days after the application has been re-submitted.
– Issuing of fitness and registration certificate
Once an inspection of the business premises has been conducted, a fitness and
registration certificate will be issued only in the case where the business complies with all
the relevant health statutes. It should be noted when there are non-conformities identified
during business inspection, an inspection report will be issued to the applicant and a reinspection should be applied for.
Illegal Dumping
PLEASE NOTE!!!!!
Dumping on any open space is illegal and an offence. If you are found guilty of dumping
illegally you could be fined N$5000.00.
Please report all illegal dumping activities on 062 521834, also take a picture of illegal dumping
practices and upload it on the website.
Food Safety and Hygiene
The Division of Health ensures that the handling, preparing and storing of food or drink is done
in such a way that best reduces the risk of consumers becoming sick from the food-borne
disease. The main aim of this is to prevent food from becoming contaminated and causing food
poisoning.
Nuisance Control
All complaints should be addressed to the Health Administrators office, which will be forwarded
to the Health Inspectorate. The Health Inspectorate will carry out a full investigation into the
nuisance complaint and make an informed decision. Feedback will be given to the complainant.
Meat Inspection and Meat Export Permits
The health inspectorates are mandated to carry out meat inspections at the abattoir. We conduct
pre-mortem and post-mortem inspections to ensure that the meat is fit for human consumption.
Meat export permits are issued to individuals that wish to transport meat outside the jurisdiction
of Rehoboth, please visit the office of the Health Inspectorate.
Pollution Control
The Division of Health is authorized to monitor and control all environmental pollutions.
Monthly water samples are collected for bacteriological analysis. The Division will also start
incorporating cooking oil testing, collecting and swabbing of food samples, measuring noise
decibel levels.