Health Legislation

The Constitution of South Africa was adopted in 1996 and approved by the Constitutional Court. It consists of 241 articles grouped into 14 chapters that are supplemented by 7 schedules. The Constitution is the prime law of the country and sets out the founding provisions of the organization of the state, regulates the civil, political, cultural and economic rights of the people, divides the powers within the state and establishes the key state institutions and organs, etc.

This Act determines the circumstances in which and conditions under which the pregnancy of a woman may be terminated; and provides for matters connected therewith.

This Act provides provisions on the registration of persons resident in Botswana and provides for matters incidental thereto.

This Act consolidates and amends the laws providing for the establishment of the South African Pharmacy Board and for the training and registration of pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, pharmacy students, unqualified assistants and pharmaceutical technicians; provides for the control of the practice of the pharmaceutical profession; and provides for matters incidental thereto.

This Act establishes the Health Professions Council of South Africa and professional boards; provides for control over the education, training and registration for and practising of health professions registered under this Act; and provides for matters incidental thereto.

This Act consolidates and amends the law relating to the registration of births and deaths in Botswana.

The Statistics Act establishes a body corporate to be known as Statistics Botswana; requires that official statistics be produced by means of a process that is guided by the National Statistical System; and provides principles for the production and dissemination of official statistics and for matters incidental thereto.

The General Health Regulations set out comprehensive guidelines and standards for public health and hygiene, including the control of communicable diseases, sanitation, food safety, and environmental health.

This Act empowers the President of Botswana to make emergency regulations whenever an emergency proclamation is in force. It also specifies the matters which may be provided for in emergency regulations; provides the duration of emergency regulations, and provides for the matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.

The Constitution of Botswana was first adopted in 1966 and reviewed in 2006. It consists of 127 articles that are grouped into 9 chapters. The articles of the Constitution address a large number of issues such as the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship rights, the fundamental principles of the state and institutional arrangements.

The Act provides for the registration and control of medicines and related substances for human and animal use, establishes the Medicines Control Council, and outlines its powers and responsibilities. It includes provisions for the licensing of manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers, as well as measures to ensure the availability of affordable medicines. The Act also addresses the regulation of medicine pricing, generic substitution, labeling, and procedures for appeals and re-evaluation of registered medicines.

This document establishes a list of rights and responsibilities of the users of health services in Botswana.