The Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday to set up an Audit Directorate at the Ministry of Health and a Coordinating Group for the implementation of the national health plan.

Minister of Health Philippos Patsalis said that, in the framework of health system reforms, his Ministry was proceeding with the reform and reorganisation of its structures, so that it can become more functional and effective.

He announced that the Council of Ministers approved the creation of an Audit Directorate at the Ministry of Health, adding that under this Directorate `we will develop an Internal Audit Service and very soon we will add more audit groups`.

`The financial, managerial, accounting and operational audit is very important in order to become better and more efficient`, he said.

Patsalis added that this Directorate would assess various programmes and management issues, and would carry out studies and investigations concerning the interests of the Ministry, the loss of funds, and operational effectiveness.

He also announced that the Council of Ministers had approved a proposal for the setting up of a Coordinating Group for the implementation of the national health plan and reforms.

`The Coordinating Group will coordinate the efforts of all sub-groups within the Ministry of Health, so that we are more efficient and fast`, he said.

The Minister furthermore noted that `as of today there will also be other changes at the Ministry of Health concerning various crucial Directorates of the Ministry`.