Ministry of Health (China)

The Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China (卫生部; Wèishēngbù) was the governmental authority responsible for national health policies and public health in mainland China. It oversaw disease control, health care standards, food safety, and the medical profession.

Its primary responsibilities included formulating and implementing health policies, regulations, and standards; coordinating medical research and development; managing the national health budget; and regulating the practice of medicine and pharmaceuticals. The Ministry also played a crucial role in responding to public health emergencies, such as outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The Ministry of Health was dissolved in March 2013 as part of a government restructuring effort. Its responsibilities were largely transferred to the newly created National Health and Family Planning Commission (国家卫生和计划生育委员会), later renamed the National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委员会) in 2018. The National Health Commission continues to carry out many of the functions previously performed by the Ministry of Health, but also assumes responsibilities related to family planning.