Taiwan Legislature passes Ministry of Health and Welfare reorganization

The Legislative Yuan has passed an amendment to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Organization Act, restructuring the ministry’s administrative framework. The amendment removes the existing Social and Family Administration and replaces it with two new third-level agencies: the Agency for Children and Family Support and the Agency for Social Development and Long-term Care.

The Agency for Children and Family Support will be responsible for coordinating childcare, early intervention, child welfare, family support services, and child health. The Agency for Social Development and Long-term Care will oversee the rights and welfare of the elderly and persons with disabilities, long-term care, women’s rights, and the national pension system. Additionally, the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute and the National Medical Technology Assessment Center will be established as administrative corporations.

Child welfare advocacy groups, including the Alliance for the Promotion of Centralized Child-Specific Units, have welcomed the move as a significant step after 20 years of campaigning. However, they have called for sufficient budget and manpower, better integration between social and health policies, and updates to child rights laws to include digital safety and enhanced participation for minors.