Principal functions of the CHP

How does CHP plan to move health protection from the existing system to a different plane?

The focus is on:
• Epidemiology training
• Surveillance
• Risk communication
• Research
• Coordination
• Preparedness and contingency planning

It was with those in mind that the following principal functions of the CHP were mapped out:
• Conduct comprehensive public health surveillance on communicable diseases;
• Develop strategies for the effective control of communicable diseases;
• Develop strategies for risk communication;
• Establish partnerships with the health care professions, community, academics, government departments, national and international authorities in controlling communicable diseases;
• Develop and review contingency plans and respond effectively to outbreaks, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases;
• Develop, support, implement and evaluate programmes on the prevention and control of communicable diseases (including hospital-acquired infections);
• Develop research agenda and support applied research on the prevention and control of communicable diseases;
• Build up capacity and develop professional expertise on communicable diseases; and
• Act as the Government's advisor on disease control. The long term priority of the CHP would be broadened to cover environmental hazards and other non-communicable diseases.