Health Ministry Seeks NLe 566.8 Million in 2025 Budget for Expanded Healthcare Initiatives

August 22, 2024

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation is requesting NLe 566.8 million for the 2025 fiscal year, aligning its strategy with the government's "Big Five" priorities during the ongoing budget hearings.

Dr. Tom Sesay, Director of Productive Healthcare, made this appeal during a presentation at the Ministry of Finance in Freetown. He stressed that the requested budget would fund the Ministry's plans to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide. These plans include increasing the number of Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) from 1,600 to 2,000, improving secondary care, and boosting the Ministry's ability to address complex medical issues. Dr. Sesay also highlighted a goal to reduce maternal mortality from 443 to 70 per 100,000 live births and cut infant mortality by half by 2030.

The Ministry also projects revenue of NLe 8.04 billion from user fees at tertiary hospitals, which is expected to support the financial sustainability of these facilities. The fees are designed to be affordable, ensuring they contribute to improving the quality of specialized medical services.

Looking ahead, the Ministry’s development agenda for 2024-2028 includes the construction of a National Cancer Diagnosis Center and regional hospitals, the expansion of dialysis programs, and a 10% reduction in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by 2030. Dr. Sesay affirmed that these initiatives align with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (2024-2030).

As the Health Ministry outlined its budget, other sectors also presented their financial needs and challenges for the coming fiscal year, aiming to align with the nation's development goals.