The port quarantine work was carried out for long time by Madras State Government. Port and Marine Dispensary were attached to Port Health Organization and Madras Quarantine Officer held the dual post of Port Health Officer cum Port and Marine Surgeon. In 1939 Port Health Organization was transferred to the control of Central Government.

After independence, Port Health Organization , Chennai, is functioning as a Subordinate Office of the Directorate General of Health Services, under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi.

The Discharge of functions of this Authority and its employees is in accordance with the following Acts, Rules, Regulations:

Acts

1. The Indian Ports Act, 1908.
2. The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
3. Food Safety and Standard Act, (FSSA)-2006 & Food Safety and Standards (Packing and labelling Regulations, (FSSR)-2011 by assisting the Customs department for clearance of imported food and acting as Designated Officer for Food Catering Units within Port Areas.

Rules

1. The Indian Port Health Rules, 1955
2. The Unberthed Passenger Ships Rules, 1954
3. The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Medical Officers) Rules, 1961
4. The Merchant Shipping (Medicines, Medical Stores and Appliances) Rules, 1994.

Regulations

1. The International Health Regulations (2005)

1. Inspection of ship/vessels (including sanitation and issuance of Ship sanitation Control and Ship sanitation Control Exemption certificate), baggage, cargo, containers, goods, Postal parcels and human remains from departing and arriving ships/vessels, so that they are in such a condition that they are free of sources of infection or contamination, including vectors and reservoirs.
2. Health screening and medical examination of travellers for yellow fever, H1N1, Dengue, Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD), (MERS-CoV) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Viruses, ZIKA disease.
3. Supervision and coordination of measures so that facilities used by travellers at points of entry are maintained in a sanitary condition and are kept free of sources of infection or contamination, including vectors and reservoirs;
4. Responsible for the supervision of any deratting, disinfection, disinsection or decontamination of baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods, postal parcels and human remains or sanitary measures for persons, as appropriate under these Rules
5. Advise conveyance operators, as far in advance as possible, of their intent to apply control measures to a conveyance, and shall provide, where available, written information concerning the methods to be employed;
6. Responsible for the supervision of the removal and safe disposal of any contaminated water or food, human or animal waste, waste water and any other contaminated matter from a conveyance;
7. Take all practicable measures consistent with the Indian Port Health Rules, to monitor and control the discharge by ships of sewage, refuse, ballast water and other potentially disease-causing matter which might contaminate the waters of a port, river, canal, strait, lake or other international waterway;
8. Responsible for supervision of service providers for services concerning travellers, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods, postal parcels and human remains at points of entry, including the conduct of inspections and medical examinations as necessary;
9. Have effective contingency arrangements to deal with an unexpected PHEIC and the measures to deal with it to all the concerned agencies at the port;
10. Responsible for coordinating additional health measures at the port as decided by the Central Government in the event of PHEIC like passenger screening, isolation & quarantine, contact listing, aircraft disinsection, transportation, arranging logistics for various public health measures etc.
11. Yellow fever vaccination to international travellers.

Officer Incharge

Dr. M. Maheshwari
        

Address :

Port Health Officer/Chief Medical Officer (NFSG).
Port Health Organisation, CHENNAI, Rajaji Salai, TAMIL NADU, Pin code: 600001

Phone/Fax :

044 2522 5858; 044-29880152/044-29880153

Email :

quarantinechennai[at]yahoo[dot]com, pho[dot]chennai-mohfw[at]gov[dot]in