The Otago District Health Board (DHB) was established on 1 January 2001 when 21 DHBs were created as part of the Government's restructuring of the health sector.  

The Otago DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing government-funded health care services for the people of Otago.  

The publicly funded health and disability sector aims to improve the health of New Zealanders and reduce the disparities in health status between population groups (New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000).