More content from the ministry

The Government asks hospitals and municipalities to update health emergency preparedness plans

The Government is instructing the regional health authorities to review updated emergency preparedness plans in the health and care sector together with the municipalities. The plans must be strengthened in order to handle war and war-like

Norway strengthens emergency preparedness at 1,000 hospitals in Africa

Norway is providing NOK 30 million to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) programme for basic emergency care. The funding will help strengthen life saving skills at around 1,000 hospitals in five African countries over the next three years.

How to learn from each other: Digitalisation of healthcare in Germany and Norway

By Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre German-Norwegian network

The Tobacco Products Directive enters into force in Norway on Monday 30 March

The Directive contains measures such as new health warnings, prohibitions on certain additives and measures to combat illicit trade. Norway remains exempt from the EU ban on tobacco for oral use.

Norway Continues Medical Evacuation of Patients from Ukraine

Norway is continuing its cooperation with the EU on the medical air transport of Ukrainian patients for treatment at hospitals in Norway and across Europe. Following a request from the EU, the Norwegian Government has decided to extend the offer of

Finnish–Norwegian resolution on public health-based drug policy adopted by the UN

Placing greater emphasis on prevention and a holistic approach to treating people who use illicit drugs are key elements of the resolution.

Trust in healthcare systems

Check against delivery Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Norway. And welcome to this important meeting of international regulators. Thank you to the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for hosting the

By Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre The health and care minister's speech at the International Regulator Conference at NOVA Spektrum, Lillestrøm

Norwegian health service provides life saving assistance to Ukraine

This week, Norway received its 500th patient who was medically evacuated from Ukraine.

Declaration of Intent for a Norwegian-French Health Partnership

Declaration of Intent for a Norwegian-French Health Partnership between The Minister of Health and Care Services of the Kingdom of Norway and the Minister of Health, Families, Autonomy and Disabled persons of the French Republic.

A new chapter in the French-Norwegian collaboration

On February 2nd 2026, the French and Norwegian health ministers met and signed a declaration marking the intention to work in partnership to address major health challenges, and to promote mutual interests.

National Wellbeing Strategy

The National Wellbeing Strategy is anchored in the white paper on public health, Meld. St. 15 (2022-2023). The aim of the strategy is to provide direction for developing policies that to a greater extent take into consideration what is important, 

Challenges and Opportunities in Global Health

In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, climate change, financial constraints, and growing mistrust in science, the global health landscape faces both unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities. As evidencebased decision-making

National Strategy for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety

This strategy outlines Norway’s obligations regarding radiation protection and nuclear safety, and serves as a framework over other specific strategies, action plans and documents that contain measures to achieve the goal of national implementation

Three Nordic health ministers today launch a Joint Nordic Guidance for Public Officials on Interacting with the Tobacco Industry

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death and disability as well as social health inequalities in the Nordic countries, and in the recent years new harmful nicotine products have entered the Nordic markets.

Joint Nordic Guidance for Public Officials on Interacting with the Tobacco Industry

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death and disability as well as social health inequalities in the Nordic countries. As stated by the World Health Assembly resolution WHA54.18 on transparency in tobacco control process, the tobacco

Norway introduces ban on marketing of unhealthy food and drinks towards children

The new regulations designed to protect children and young people from the marketing of unhealthy food and drink came into force on Saturday, 25 October.

National budget 2026: A hospital budget for faster hospital care

The government is proposing to strengthen the hospitals’ budget framework by NOK 3.4 billion in 2026. This will help ensure shorter waiting times and better cooperation between specialised health services and municipal services.

National budget 2026: Over NOK 3.5 billion for the elderly

In the 2026 state budget, the Norwegian government is proposing over NOK 3.5 billion for the elderly. Funds are being allocated for grants to provide 1,500 nursing home places , subsidies to upgrade private homes, improved hearing care, and

First Lady Olena Zelenska and Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre visited youth services

The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, this week visited Headspace, a counselling service in Oslo, together with the Minister of Health and Care Services, Jan Christian Vestre. Headspace is a low-threshold service for young people aged 12-25 and

National budget 2026: Three concrete budget measures for better and more accessible GP services

The government proposes to allocate NOK 115 million to renew, strengthen and improve GP services. In addition, the government wants 16- and 17-year-olds to be exempt from paying for GP appointments and out-of-hours medical services.