Govt decides to replace healthcare body, forms National Health Authority

The government Wednesday decided to dissolve the National Health Agency and approved formation of a new body named National Health Authority for better implementation of Ayushman Bharat, the Centre's healthcare scheme for the poor.

The existing society -- National Health Agency -- has been dissolved and will be replaced by the National Health Authority as an attached office to the Ministry of Health, an official statement said.

"The existing multi-tier decision making structure has been replaced with the Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister of Health which will enable the decision making at a faster pace, required for smooth implementation of the scheme," the statement said.

Welcoming the Union Cabinet's decision, Health Minister JP Nadda said, "The world's largest healthcare scheme rightfully deserves the most efficient and effective governance structure with total accountability."