Wellington: New Zealand Health Minister announced Wednesday it will consolidate its fragmented healthcare system into a national service similar to the one revered by many in Britain.

New Zealand Health Minister Andrew Little said that putting a greater priority on primary healthcare and ensuring fairer access for all the citizens are the two main drivers of health sector reforms. He said that over three years, the district boards will be replaced by a single new body called Health New Zealand. He promised an increased focus on public health and treating people early so they don't end up in hospitals.

"We are going to put the emphasis squarely on primary and community healthcare and will do away with duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy between regions so that our health workers can do what they do best - keep people well," Little said in a statement.

The reforms will see all 20 district health boards replaced with a new national entity, Health New Zealand, which will be responsible for running hospitals and commissioning primary and community health services. It will have four regional divisions, the Minister said.

Responsibility for public health issues will rest with a new Public Health Authority, and a new Maori Health Authority will monitor the state of Maori health and have the ability to commission services directly, he said.

The system will be overseen by a strengthened Ministry of Health, which will also advise the government on policy matters, Little added.

Imran government bowed to the fundamentalists, accepted this demand

Former PM of Pakistan crossed all limits, told the speaker "I will take my shoe off and beat you..."

Shooting outside McDonlad ‘s outlet took life of seven year old girl