Legislature approves major health ministry overhaul

Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan approved a sweeping reorganization of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Tuesday, creating two new agencies and two government-funded administrative institutions.

The moves, which represent the ministry's first major structural overhaul since its establishment in 2013, will give more attention to children's health and healthcare issues, long-term care, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Amendments approved by the Legislature abolished the existing Social and Family Affairs Administration and split its functions into a new Administration of Children, Youth and Family Support and a new Administration of Social Development and Long-term Care.

The new children, youth and family support administration will oversee policies and programs related to childcare, early intervention services, child and youth welfare and rights, family support services, and pediatric health care.

The social development and long-term care administration will be responsible for policies covering senior citizens, people with disabilities, long-term care services, and the National Pension program.

The Executive Yuan first approved the amendments to the Organic Act of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and related organic acts in December 2025, citing the need to respond to Taiwan's declining birthrate and rapidly aging population.

On Tuesday, lawmakers also passed legislation establishing two administrative institutions under the MOHW: a National Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a National Center for Health Technology Assessment.

The National Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be created by converting the MOHW's existing National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine into an administrative corporation.

The new agency will have a broader mandate to advance traditional Chinese medicine research, promote precision clinical applications and strengthen the competitiveness of Taiwan's traditional medicine industry.

The National Center for Health Technology Assessment will evaluate emerging medical technologies and pharmaceuticals to support evidence-based reimbursement decisions and improve the efficiency of healthcare resource allocation.

The Legislature also adopted non-binding resolutions urging the MOHW to upgrade its women's welfare unit to department-level status while increasing staffing and funding for women's affairs.

Lawmakers further recommended renaming the ministry's Department of Nursing and Health Care as the Department of Nursing and Indigenous Health Care to place greater emphasis on Indigenous health.