INFECTIOUS DISEASES (AMENDMENT) BILL

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

There are three types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A, or infectious hepatitis, is spread by contaminated food and water. The second type of hepatitis is designated hepatitis B, or serum hepatitis. It can be transmitted through a hypodermic syringe or needle that has been contaminated with the blood of a patient or carrier of hepatitis B. Thirdly, there is a type of hepatitis which is neither A nor B. It is spread to another person by inoculation or contaminated blood, especially in a blood transfusion.

Under the Infectious Diseases Act, 1976, only one form of viral hepatitis, i.e. hepatitis A, is a notifiable disease. To prevent its out-break, the Act provides for control of unhygienic practices in food establishments only. The Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Bill will expand the scope of the existing Act to make all forms of hepatitis notifiable diseases and to extend control to cover unhygienic practices in any occupation, trade or business, besides those in food establishments.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Toh Chin Chye].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.