The purpose of Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH) is to ensure that everyone in the country has the same possibilities to have a healthy and safe life.

The MSAH job is to

• promote the population's good health and functional capacity
• promote healthy working and living environments
• ensure that there are sufficient social and health services
• ensure that people have an adequate income at various stages in life
• promote gender equality.

The MSAH is responsible for the planning, guidance and implementation of social and health policy in Finland. As an organ of government it

• implements the government's programme
• drafts legislation and key reforms
• directs the implementation of reform.

Fields of responsibility

The MSAH's administrative sector is wide ranging. It is supported in its work by the expertise of the whole sector's agencies and institutes.  The MSAH is responsible for:

• promoting welfare and health
• social and health services
• social insurance
• private insurance
• occupational safety and health
• gender equality.