Health Ministry to undergo Revamp, Consolidate Autonomous bodies

New Delhi: In a major development to bring about the overhaul of the health ministry, the government is soon planning for its revamp, by consolidating many autonomous bodies, while removing many others from its list. The review is proposed to be done in phases.

The overhaul will see "reduction" of many autonomous bodies that have grown over the past few years in both the health and alternative medicine sectors. The move is expected to help in cutting overlapping outlays and infrastructure, as well as streamline working and coordination for better outcomes. As a move towards consolidation, Indian Express reports that the government has earmarked closure of four autonomous bodies falling under the health ministry.  Three of these bodies will be brought under the Ministry of Health, while one would be merged with another autonmous body in the first phase. Following are the details of the proposed overhaul

•  Central Medical Services Society, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh, all in New Delhi  are the the three autonomous bodies that would be brought under the health ministry .


•  the National Academy of Medical Sciences, is set to be merged with the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare.


•  St John's Ambulance has already been listed for closure — as part of the review, it has been "recommended to be removed from the list of autonomous bodies". This means it will no longer get any central assistance.