By George M.O. Williams
Sierra Leone – December 12, 2025: The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its commitment to strengthen financial protection, expand access to essential services, and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Sierra Leone.
Speaking during an interview to mark Universal Health Coverage Day 2025, WHO Country Representative Dr. George Ameh emphasized that access to quality healthcare remains a fundamental human right.
Dr. Ameh noted that Sierra Leone has made notable progress over the past two decades. Out-of-pocket health expenditure has declined from 85% in 2000 to 46% today, while the UHC Service Coverage Index has risen from 14 to 48 between 2000 and 2023. He highlighted achievements such as steep declines in maternal mortality and increased access to essential services nationwide.
However, he cautioned that financial hardship still prevents many households from receiving timely care, stressing that no Sierra Leonean should be forced to choose between medical treatment and basic daily needs.
Dr. Ameh commended the Government’s dedication to UHC, citing the signing of the UN Flagship Programme on person-centred, life-stage health services in Moyamba District and the launch of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP) 2026–2030, which prioritizes health financing reforms, equity, and strengthened primary healthcare.
“Let us build a resilient, inclusive and equitable health system that shields people from financial hardship. On UHC Day 2025, we reaffirm our shared promise: Health for All. No One Left Behind,” Dr. Ameh said.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, also raised concerns about high health costs across the continent. He revealed that in 2022, more than 423 million Africans faced financial hardship due to out-of-pocket health spending, with 384 million pushed into or deeper into poverty.
Dr. Janabi acknowledged regional gains, including improvements in the UHC Service Coverage Index and progress in noncommunicable disease services, largely driven by reductions in tobacco use. He urged African governments to intensify reforms by increasing domestic investment, expanding prepayment and risk-pooling systems, strengthening primary healthcare, and ensuring accountability through disaggregated data.
“With new regional and global evidence in hand, 2025 offers a pivotal opportunity to accelerate financial protection reforms and advance health for all. Let’s turn commitment into action,” Dr. Janabi said.
As Sierra Leone joins the global community in commemorating Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 under the theme “Unaffordable Health Costs”, WHO’s renewed commitment underscores the urgent need to build resilient, inclusive, and equitable health systems that protect vulnerable populations and ensure Health for All.