By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S
FREETOWN — The Ministry of Health has requested NLe341.27 million in recurrent funding for Fiscal Year 2027 to sustain healthcare delivery nationwide, more than double the NLe153.30 million ceiling set by the Ministry of Finance.
The request was tabled during the ongoing FY2027 bilateral budget hearings involving the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
In addition to the recurrent budget, the Health Ministry presented a NLe263.57 million capital expenditure plan — NLe211 million for new projects and NLe52.57 million to complete ongoing FY2026 infrastructure works.
Opening the health sector hearing, Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, stressed that budget allocations must go beyond routine spending and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with national priorities.
Defending the increase, Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Charles Senessie cited recent gains including reduction in maternal and infant mortality, expanded immunisation coverage, increased life expectancy and recruitment of over 3,000 health professionals through a digital portal.
Prof. Senessie urged government to increase health financing to move closer to the 15 percent allocation target under the Abuja Declaration. Senior Permanent Secretary Andrew Sorie described public health financing as a high-return, life-saving investment critical to building a resilient system.
The hearings also examined options for private-sector partnerships and health innovation amid declining donor support, which reportedly fell from US$313 million in 2025 to US$267 million in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs presented a NLe7.96 million funding request for 2027 to support social protection, child welfare and gender equality programmes, stressing the need for sustained financing to protect vulnerable groups.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to continue reviewing proposals from MDAs in the coming weeks ahead of presenting the national draft budget to Parliament.
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