It has been revealed recently that the New Zealand Government would be bringing a few changes in its health bill, with effect from the coming June. Informing about the changes, Health Minister Tony Ryall said that some of the key changes would be alterations in immunization plan and reduced waiting times for cancer treatments.

With the new health bill, which will be out by the middle of this year, would bring good news for cancer patients who have to wait for long before they receiving chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment for that matter.

As per the new bill, it would be mandatory to provide cancer treatment to a patient within four weeks. Those who would not comply with the same would have to pay heavy penalty. Ryall said, "Medical oncology is being added to the cancer waiting time target from the middle of this year. This means all patients who need either radiation or chemotherapy treatment should get it within the world gold standard of four weeks".

Another major thing that has gained attention of the government is change in the existing immunization programmee. Till now, the immunization age started from two years but with this bill the age has been reduced to eight-months.

Not only this, but the immunization target has also been increased to 95% for eight months-old baby. The government said that they want to achieve immunization rate to reach at 95% by 2014.

In addition, the government is also thinking to bring significant improvements in the emergency waiting times. But before that, they want to improve the condition of doubt Dunedin and Wellington hospitals.

Ryall said that they are working on the matter and are waiting for reports in this regard. As soon as they get the reports, they would take steps to improve the condition.