POWER AND DUTIES

Powers

Administrative Powers :

* Head of the office with statutory and administrative powers designated as Head of Office under Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 1978.
* Appointing and Disciplinary Authority for certain Group “C” posts
* Controlling Officer for Medical officers and all non-gazetted staff.

Financial Powers :

* Cheque Drawing and Disbursing Officer for the establishment and sub offices under it..
* Statutory powers delegated under Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 1978
* Other Financial Powers delegated by Head of Department from time to time

Other Powers :

* A regulatory authority established under the Indian Ports Act, 1908 as ‘Health Officer of Port’ with the following powers with respect to any vessel, the powers conferred on a Shipping-Master by the Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1859 (1 to 1859), section 71.

  • Power to enter on board any vessel and medically examine all or any of the seaman or apprentices on board  the vessel.
  • Power to require and enforce the production of the log-book and other books, papers or documents which he thinks necessary for the purpose of enquiring into the health and medical condition of the persons on board the vessel.
  • Power to call before him/ her and question for any such purpose all or any of those persons and to require true answers to any questions which he thinks fit to ask.
  • Power to require any person questioned to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of the statements made by him.

* Under the Food safety and standard Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, Port Health Officer functions as Designated Officers and Local Health Authority for areas under Cochin Port Jurisdiction.

SURVEILLANCE OF QUARANTAINABLE DISEASES AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN (Ebola Virus Disease, MERS-CoV, Zika Virus Disease, H1N1 and any other diseases notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

  1. I)    Precautionary Measures Against Quarantainable Diseases
  2. a) Yellow Fever
  3. b) Plague
  4. c) Cholera
  5. d) Any Public Health Emergent disease notified by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  6. II)    ISSUE PRATIQUE. Limited pratique now because of Covid 19.

III)    Dis-embarkation of crew on medical grounds/ Radio-medical Aid to seafarers at High seas.

  1. IV)     Medical examination of crew
  2. V)     Health & Sanitary Inspection of the vessels
  3. VI)    Inspection of Medicine Chest on board the vessels

VII)     Grant of Radio Pratique to the Ships

VIII)     Inspection of ships for issue of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate / Ship
Sanitation Control Certificate/Extension of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption
Certificate.

  1. IX)     Issual of Health Clearance certificate for Clearance of Human Remains brought from Abroad or
    Death on board.
  2. X)      Vaccination against Yellow Fever
  3. XI)     Issual of Central FSSAI Licence to food Business operators operating in Cochin Seaport.

XII)     Health and sanitary inspection of port and port area.

XIII)      Any other tasks assigned by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

  1. SURVEILLANCE OF QUARANTAINABLE DISEASES AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN (Ebola Virus Disease, MERS-CoV, Zika Virus Disease, H1N1 and any other diseases notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

Precautionary Measures Against Quarantainable Diseases

  1. a) Yellow Fever
  2. b) Plague
  3. c) Cholera
  4. d) Any Public Health Emergent disease notified by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  5. II)    ISSUE PRATIQUE

III)    Dis-embarkation of crew on medical grounds/ Radio-medical Aid to seafarers at High seas.

  1. IV)     Medical examination of crew
  2. V)     Health & Sanitary Inspection of the vessels
  3. VI)    Inspection of Medicine Chest on board the vessels

VII)     Grant of Radio Pratique to the Ships

VIII)     Inspection of ships for issue of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate / Ship Sanitation Control Certificate

  1. IX)     Issual of Health Clearance certificate for Clearance of Human Remains brought from a
    broad or Death on board.
  2. X)      Vaccination against Yellow Fever
  3. XI)     Issual of Central FSSAI Licence to food Business operators operating in Cochin Seaport in the absence of designated officer.

XII)     Health and sanitary inspection of port area.

XIII)      Any other tasks assigned by the Port Health Officer.

XIV)    Looks after functioning of PHO Cochin in the absence of Port Health Organisation,
Cochin.

Powers : Subordinate Staff : No independent powers

Duties

  • Assisting Port Health Officer during onboard inspection of ships and supervision of fumigation of infected or suspected ships arriving from Yellow Fever infected area.
  • Sanitary supervision for keeping the port premises and port area free from mosquitoes in their larval and adult stages.
  • Inspection of catering establishments in Port Area as a Food Inspector.
  • Supervision of Group’ C ‘and Group ‘D’ Staff deputed for Field Work.

(i) Primary Responsibility

  • Inspection and clearance of conveyances,
  • surveillance/quarantine of passengers and crew members,
  • clearance of human remains,
  • to ensure safe general sanitation condition,
  • provision of safe food,
  • provision of safe drinking water,
  • Vector control at POE.
  • Prioritize clearance of patients with health emergency and to assist in shifting to designated hospitals
  •  

(ii) Special Need Based activities

  •  In the absence of staff nurse care, assist in vaccination of the quarantine passengers at quarantine centre.
  • Food safety and inspection Duties
  •  

(iii)Activities During Emergencies
• To provide emergency medical aid to crews / passengers

  • gathering necessary information from shipping agents,
  • provide assistance to medical officers and  arranging logistics,
  • disinfection of baggage and conveyances
  • Demonstration of various procedural activities during training.

(iv)Other Duties

  • Various other need based duties as assigned from time to time by the Port Health Officer

Powers : Subordinate Staff : No independent Powers.

Duties

  • A ministerial dealing assistant for works related to house keeping and clerical work involved in substantive functions.
  • Supervision of work of LDC and Group “C” staff.
  • Noting and drafting of Letters preparation and checking of registers.
  • Preparation of statements/salaries

Powers : Subordinate Staff : No independent Powers.

Duties

  • A ministerial dealing assistant for works related to house keeping and clerical work involved in substantive functions.
  • Routine noting
  • Drafting and typing of notes and letter
  • Diary dispatch
  • Preparation of statements etc.

Powers : Subordinate Staff : No independent Powers.

Duties

A non-ministerial supporting staff in the office to assist Port Health Officer  in their official duties without prejudice to individual’s dignity.

As prescribed by Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

By Application / written Request.

Varies from one day to a month.