The government has announced plans to dissolve the Health Care Agency after a decision taken at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 23 December.
Cabinet Secretary Margaret Moumou said the decision forms part of a wider reform of the national health system. Cabinet agreed to repeal the Health Care Agency Act of 2013.
The Act was introduced under the administration of former president James Michel. It created the Health Care Agency as an independent body governed by a nine-member board. Board members were required to have experience in health service management, clinical governance and compliance, financial management, business administration, human resource development, law, or related fields.
Mrs Moumou said Cabinet has endorsed a new three-pillar structure for the Ministry of Health. The structure will include a department for policy, strategy and accountability, a department of health care services, and a strengthened Public Health Authority.
In a statement, the Office of the President said the reforms will place health services under direct ministerial oversight.
“These changes will bring health services under direct ministerial oversight, strengthen accountability and improve the quality and safety of care, and address ongoing issues such as long waiting lists, poor infrastructure maintenance and rising costs,” the statement said.
Mrs Moumou also said the Public Health Authority, led by Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon, will expand into an institute.
She said the change will allow the body to conduct research within the health sector and operate under its own governing law to support public safety.