The health sector in Nicaragua is formed by two subsectors: the public, integrated by Ministry of Health–Ministry of Health and the private subsector. The Ministry of Health is the principal supplier of health services in the country, through its network of services in two levels of care. Different laws and decrees confer the `steering role` of the sector to the Ministry of Health. In turn, the 1997-2002 National Health Policy establishes the separation of regulation, financing, and service delivery functions. The General Bureau of Regulation and Accreditation of Establishments and Health Professionals, Medicines, and Food of the Ministry of Health is the organism in charge of regulatory functions. Although internal documents that clearly specify the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Director are available, they are not regulated.

Health System Profile of Nicaragua

The second edition of the Profile was prepared by a group of 24 professionals and national policy decision-makers from the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua (Divisions of Planning and Development and Health Services, and Administrative and Financing Divisions, and the National Center for Diagnosis and Reference), and the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute (General Preventive Health Management), and the PAHO/WHO Representative Office in Nicaragua. During the preparation of this report, an initial draft was sent to all the technical units that contributed information. The technical coordination of the National Group was the responsibility of the PAHO/WHO Office Representative Office in Nicaragua. The external review was commissioned to the Center for Research and Studies in Health (CIES) in its master’s degree program in public health. Final review, edition, and translation are the responsibility of the Health Systems and Policies Unit, PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC.

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Nicaragua Country Profile - Health in the Americas, 2007
Link to Nicaragua Ministry of Health
Link to PAHO/WHO country office in Nicaragua