Ministry of Health (British Columbia) Ministry
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The Ministry of Health is a provincial government department responsible for the Canadian province of British Columbia's health system, with a mandate to guide and enhance the province's health services to ensure British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and improve their health.
Its annual budget for 2012–2013 was $16.2 billion. The Ministry leads and manages health programs such as the Medical Services Plan (physician services), PharmaCare (prescription drug coverage) for BC residents. The majority of direct health services are delivered through partnerships with health authorities, physicians and other health professionals. The ministry works with five regional health authorities (Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health and Vancouver Coastal Health) and one province-wide health authority (the Provincial Health Services Authority), which is responsible for specialized health services.
The provincial health officer is an independent officer with a focus on public and population health who reports to government through the ministry.
Its annual budget for 2012–2013 was $16.2 billion. The Ministry leads and manages health programs such as the Medical Services Plan (physician services), PharmaCare (prescription drug coverage) for BC residents. The majority of direct health services are delivered through partnerships with health authorities, physicians and other health professionals. The ministry works with five regional health authorities (Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health and Vancouver Coastal Health) and one province-wide health authority (the Provincial Health Services Authority), which is responsible for specialized health services.
The provincial health officer is an independent officer with a focus on public and population health who reports to government through the ministry.