The Government of Vietnam has officially restructured the Ministry of Health, reducing its number of administrative units and expanding its responsibilities to include social protection and child welfare.

These changes, effective from March 1, are outlined in Decree No. 42/2025/ND-CP, which defines the ministry’s functions, duties, powers, and organizational structure.

Key changes in the Ministry of Health’s structure

Under the new decree, the Ministry of Health is responsible for managing a broad range of public health services, including disease prevention, medical treatment, rehabilitation, forensic medicine, maternal and child health, population management, pharmaceutical regulation, food safety, traditional medicine, and medical equipment. The ministry is also tasked with overseeing public services in these areas.

The Ministry of Health’s organizational structure now consists of 20 units:

Health Insurance Department

Personnel and Organization Department

Planning and Finance Department

Legal Affairs Department

International Cooperation Department

Office of the Ministry

Inspectorate of the Ministry

Department of Medical Services Administration

Department of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy Management

Drug Administration of Vietnam

Food Safety Department

Department of Medical Infrastructure and Equipment

Department of Science, Technology, and Training

Population Department

Department of Disease Prevention

Maternal and Child Health Department

Social Protection Department

Institute of Health Strategy and Policy

National Center for Health Information

Health and Life Newspaper

Previously, under Decree 95/2022, the Ministry of Health had 21 units. The restructuring reduced the number of departments to 19 by merging or eliminating certain divisions.

The HIV/AIDS Prevention Department and Environmental Health Management Department were dissolved and their responsibilities were transferred to the newly established Department of Disease Prevention.

The Maternal and Child Health Department was formed by merging the former Maternal and Child Health Bureau with the Children’s Bureau.

Transfer of responsibilities from other ministries

On February 28, the ministries of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Health (MOH), and Education and Training (MOET) signed an agreement transferring several administrative units.

As a result, three key agencies were moved from MOLISA to the Ministry of Health:

Children’s Bureau

Social Protection Department

Department for the Prevention of Social Evils

These changes reflect the government’s efforts to streamline administrative functions and improve coordination in managing healthcare, social protection, and child welfare.

With the new structure in place, the Ministry of Health will play a more comprehensive role in overseeing not only public health but also broader social care responsibilities.

Vo Thu