Governments have a significant role to play in the provision of services to its citizens. The government establishes and executes rules and laws to govern different operations in the country. It plays a significant role in matters such as health, housing, technology, transport, legal matters, manufacturing and employment among others.

When it comes to the health sector, the government has a major role to play. Sadly, most of the citizens do not have an idea of the role of government in maintaining a healthy society. Here are the things the government needs to do to promote a healthy community.

Regulation

The government is the body mandated with the sole responsibility of regulating how companies and businesses carry out their operations. If left unregulated, some companies and organizations will engage in activities which have a negative health impact on the society. Some of the activities harm the citizens while others destroy the environment.

The government needs to put in regulations on how the industries dispose of their waste. These should prevent industries from disposing their waste into rivers and releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. All should treat their sewage before discharging it into water bodies. Failure to have such regulations put the surrounding society at risk by contaminating the air and the water.

When the water is contaminated crops are also affected, primarily if the water is for irrigation. The government should also have regulations on how the workers are treated and ensuring that there are protective gears for workers in risky environments.

The government also needs to regulate the standards of products imported into the country as well as those produced locally. By having a body which ensures that products, especially food meet the set standards of quality, the government ensures that the health of its citizens is not at risk.

Government Policies

The government can use policies to maintain a healthy society. It can come up with policies to govern companies, homesteads as well as industries. The policies will govern things such as the production process and waste disposal.

For those in agriculture, the government should have strict policies on which pesticides and other chemicals need to be used in the farms. Other policies to ensure a healthy society should relate to improving the education system, living conditions and housing.

Supporting Private Sector

The government should have incentives to encourage the private sector to participate more on corporate social responsibility (CSR). For example, any expenses spent on such programs can be made tax-exempt. It will ensure that the companies are not just profit oriented. Such intervention by the private sector helps in keeping the environment clean. Other interventions such as free medical camps, help the society access medical care and early diagnosis which would have otherwise been impossible.

The government can also make it a requirement that the companies and other profit-making institutions channel a certain percentage of their profits towards CSR programs. The government can fund part of the programs to promote the spirit of CSR.

Conclusion

As seen above, the government has a lot to do in ensuring that the society remains healthy. It is the role of citizens in keeping the government accountable.