The Kerala Public Health Act, 2023 (Act No. 28 of 2023) is a comprehensive state Act designed to strengthen public health infrastructure and enforcement in Kerala. It was created to replace and unify the fragmented public health laws that existed in the state, specifically the Madras Public Health Act, 1939, and the Travancore-Cochin Public Health Act, 1955, thereby extending a single, modern law across the entire state. The Act was passed by the Legislative Assembly in March 2023 and officially notified on November 28, 2023. Crucially, Section 1(2) of the Act states that its remaining provisions were deemed to have come into force on January 16, 2023.
The Act shifts the focus from mere diagnosis and treatment to a preventive, "one-health" approach, incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing emerging threats like lifestyle diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change-related health hazards. It works by establishing a clear hierarchy of authorities, including the State Public Health Officer, District Public Health Officer, and Local Public Health Officer, who are responsible for its implementation. Key provisions cover a wide range of public health concerns, such as water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and food safety. For instance, Section 15 mandates that drinking water quality must adhere to the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Act also connects to and aims to align with the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, and the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, by delegating responsibilities to Local Self Government Institutions, such as arranging public latrine facilities as per Section 18. Public Health Officers are given additional powers during emergency situations and can recover costs for non-compliance under Section 66.