Mahmoud Kamara,
Senior Information Officer,
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health has made a strong case for increased government investment in the health sector during the FY2027 Bilateral Budget Discussions, citing the need to sustain recent gains in healthcare delivery and strengthen services nationwide.
Speaking at the discussions held at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, Acting Minister of Health, Prof. Charles Senessie, outlined the Ministry’s budget priorities and financing requirements for the 2027 fiscal year.
The Ministry is seeking NLe341.27 million in recurrent expenditure for FY2027 against an approved budget ceiling of NLe153.30 million, leaving a financing gap of NLe187.96 million.
In addition, the Ministry proposed NLe211 million for new capital projects targeting key health interventions, including immunisation, family planning, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and leprosy programmes, malaria control, construction of regional hospitals, Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance (SLeSHI) seed funding and dialysis services. Combined with ongoing FY2026 capital projects valued at NLe52.57 million, the total capital financing requirement amounts to NLe263.57 million.
Presenting the Ministry’s case, Prof. Senessie highlighted progress made across the health sector, including reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates, improvements in life expectancy, expanded immunisation coverage and the successful recruitment of more than 3,000 health workers through the government’s digital recruitment platform.
He also pointed to investments in specialised and emergency healthcare services, while urging increased government financing to consolidate these achievements and support Sierra Leone’s efforts to meet the 15 percent health sector financing target under the Abuja Declaration.
Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Andrew Sorie, described health spending as a critical investment in the country’s future, emphasizing that sustained financing remains essential to improving healthcare access and strengthening the national health system.
He noted ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing health financing, including the development of a Health Financing Policy and Bill, the finalisation of the Health Financing Strategy 2026-2030, and plans to establish a Health Financing Agency to support the management and financing of Free Health Care and Health Insurance programmes.
Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, stressed the importance of ensuring that available resources are effectively aligned with national priorities and translated into measurable outcomes for citizens.
Meanwhile, Principal Deputy Financial Secretary, Samuel E.B. Momoh, called for greater clarity on the Ministry’s strategic objectives, particularly opportunities for private-sector participation and innovation within the health sector value chain.
Discussions also focused on the changing landscape of health-sector financing, with participants noting that support from government and development partners had declined from approximately US$313 million in 2025 to US$267 million in 2026. The trend, participants said, underscores the need to strengthen sustainable domestic financing mechanisms.
Civil society representatives attending the discussions also contributed views on the Ministry’s priorities, financing needs and the importance of ensuring that health investments address the needs of communities across the country.
The FY2027 bilateral budget discussions provided an opportunity for the Ministry of Health to defend its funding proposals and engage government, development partners and civil society stakeholders on strategies to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes nationwide.