Ministry of Health Asks for Nle 691,955
By Mohamed Konneh
With the policy hearing and budget presentation taking place at the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health has asked for NLe698, 955.85 and this include both recurrent and capital budget.
The Ministry of Health made it presentation through Dr. Tom Sesay emphasizing on the need to support the health sector that is key to development.
‘’There is urgent need to revise and increase the budget ceiling for health and the need for budget execution in FY 2025 and FY 2026. This investment will transform health outcomes, increase life expectancy, and reduce healthcare costs for our citizens, Dr. Sesay requested.
The health budget accordingly is an investment in the future of the people of Sierra Leone. The 2026 budget presentation of the Ministry of Health takes into cognizance subvention to public hospitals, subvention to faith-based hospitals, hospitals on wheels, NEMS referral services, expanded programme on immunization, laboratory diagnostic and blood services, NCD and mental services, and overseeing medical treatment.
On domestic capital, Dr. Tom Sesay the ministry will undertake, construction of Pharma grade warehouse and ancillary structures, construction of Port Loko hospital, support to national emergency medical services and many more line up in the budget for 2026.
However, the ministry of health is challenged with low revenue generation from health facilities and this is due to free health care and subsidies prices at health facility. There is low revenue generation as per projected revenue in 2025.
Dr. Sesay however noted that there is potential revenue generation within the health sector noting that on tobacco excise a 30% excise was introduced on all tobacco products as part of the 2027 finance act.
He said as of the 2024 finance act the government of Sierra Leone restored sin taxes on certain good and services. This include alcoholic drinks, cigars, cigarettes, drinks with high sugar content.
The Deputy Minister of health, Professor Sahr Senesie speaking earlier before the presentation draw the attention of the gathering on the ministry budget theme ‘’Life saving investment FY2026’’
The deputy minister noted that so much improvement have been made in the sector ranging from innovative approaches.
‘’It is no longer secret that our maternal mortality has dropped. Our role at the ministry is to give quality healthcare services to the people and the more reason we continue to improve on infrastructure.
The Ministry he said continue to develop the healthcare infrastructure, through renovations and construction of new facilities.
‘’We continue to installed solar energy in all our facilities. Also over three thousand healthcare nurses will be pin coded by next year,’’ he said.
