Reply: My Ministry, representing the State as Employer, has set up the Occupational Safety and Health Division in 1999 which plays a central role in ensuring that Public Officers across Ministries and Departments operate in a safe and healthy working environment. In accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005, and with a view to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of Public Officers, 32 Safety and Health Officers/Senior Safety and Health Officers have been deployed across 92 Ministries and Departments, one of which is the Ministry of Health and Wellness. As far as the Ministry of Health and Wellness is concerned, one Principal Safety and Health officer and five Safety and Health Officers/Senior Safety and Health Officers are posted thereat. The Principal Safety and Health Officer assists Management in ensuring effective implementation of safety and health policies, standards, and strategies within the Ministry. All recommendations by Safety and Health Officers are submitted and emphasis must be placed to the Ministry concerned for implementation.

154 The Ministry of Health and Wellness is divided into five regions comprising five Regional Hospitals, six Specialised Hospitals, two District Hospitals, two Community Hospitals, six Mediclinics, 19 Area Health Centres, and 114 Community Health Centres. Each of the five Regional Hospitals is served by a Safety and Health Officer/Senior Safety and Health Officer. One of their main activities is to carry out regular Safety and Health inspections in all Hospitals, Mediclinic, Area Health Centres and Community Health Centres including all worksites falling under the purview of the Regional Hospitals. With regard to part (a) of the question, the Occupational Safety and Health Division of my Ministry carried out 5974 safety and health inspections in the Public Health Institutions from January 2020 to date. REGIONS 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Region 1 175 229 204 235 277 275 Region 2 128 220 254 191 174 251 Region 3 91 163 222 235 130 256 Region 4 97 256 259 135 213 207 Region 5 74 124 210 262 139 188 TOTAL 565 992 1149 1158 933 1177 In 2025, a total of 1,177 safety and health inspections have been undertaken as at date and more than 1,300 inspections are expected by the end of the year. During these inspections, several discrepancies were observed mainly related to the structure of building, poor housekeeping, outdated electrical installations, insufficient storage facilities among others and actions are being taken to address those issues. A breakdown of the nature of the discrepancies observed and remedial action taken is being placed in the Library of the National Assembly. With regard to part (b) of the question, I wish to inform the House that, since January 2025 to date, 446 officers have been trained on various safety and health topics to promote safety and health at the workplace. The details of the trainings are being placed in the Library of the National Assembly. My Ministry is currently reviewing the organisational structure of the Occupational Safety and Health Division with a view to strengthening its operational capacity, enhancing efficiency, and improving coordination across the Public Service. This initiative aims to modernise and restructure the Division so that it adopts a more proactive, preventative, and

155 results-driven approach in fostering a strong safety and health culture in Ministries and Departments. The reform of the Occupational Safety and Health Division will also encompass the digitalisation of its operations to enable the effective management, monitoring, and analysis of Occupational Safety Health related data across Ministries and Departments. This transformation will support evidence-based decision-making, streamline processes, and strengthen accountability in promoting a safer and healthier Public Service work environment in line with the objective of Government to provide welfare, safety and health to our Public Officers. LIVESTOCK AVAILABILITY – PRICE ESCALATION