By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
Washington, D.C. — At the Annual Meetings 2025 of the Health Works Leaders Coalition Roundtable, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, presented a comprehensive overview of the ongoing transformation within the nation’s healthcare sector. Representing President Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Demby engaged with key global figures, including Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; and Atsushi Mimura, Japan’s Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs.
During his address, Dr. Demby emphasized the government’s dedication to establishing a results-oriented healthcare system that is resilient in the face of global climate challenges and public health crises. “We are not only expanding access to healthcare but also ensuring that this access is of high quality,” he stated. He outlined plans to increase the number of primary healthcare units from 1,600 to 2,000 by 2030, noting that currently, 85% of the population lives within a 5-kilometer radius of a health facility.
However, Dr. Demby stressed the necessity of complementing increased access with quality care. “We must ensure our facilities are resilient, well-equipped, staffed, and powered by renewable solar energy,” he added.
Among the notable achievements highlighted by Dr. Demby were the electrification of over 380 health facilities, providing them with 24-hour renewable energy, and the ongoing construction of modern healthcare centers. The Minister also reported significant advancements in workforce development, with the recruitment of more than 8,000 health professionals and the transition of 10,000 volunteers to formal payroll. Additionally, 25,000 community health workers, predominantly women, are enhancing the primary healthcare framework.
In closing, Dr. Demby extended an invitation to international partners, urging them to join Sierra Leone not in starting a new journey, but in accelerating an existing transformation within the healthcare system.
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