Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering launched the health sector transformation today. The transformation is expected to significantly enhance the health services in the country. It also outlines clear responsibilities and accountabilities.
A new agency called National Medical Services has been formed to deliver clinical services across the country.
“Henceforth, the Ministry of Health will have the mandate for policy and regulation. And the service delivery, the implementation will be the mandate of the new agency, the National Medical Services. That agency will have the mandate to provide services across the country. Then the Ministry will focus only on resource mobilisation on policies and standards and regulations,” said Health Minister Dechen Wangmo.
Through this transformation, there will be clear responsibilities and accountabilities.
“So, the major transformation that has happened in the health sector is that we have now delineated the policy from service delivery. So, before transformation, both policy, and regulation service delivery are all being done by various agencies and it is under the mandate of the Ministry of Health. Today through the transformation of what we are doing, we are delineating these responsibilities and establishing a clear channel of accountability and mandate,” added the Health Minister.
The five erstwhile departments under the Ministry of Health have been reduced to two departments, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Health Services.
The erstwhile Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority and Drug Regulatory Authority have been merged under Bhutan Food and Drugs Authority. The Authority was also launched today as a part of the health sector transformation.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Tshering Zam
