Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, held discussions with a high-level delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on strengthening sustainable health financing, increasing domestic resource mobilisation and advancing reforms aimed at building a more resilient healthcare system in Sierra Leone.

The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts to address healthcare financing challenges, improve investment in the health sector and strengthen cooperation between the Government of Sierra Leone and international development partners in achieving national health and development priorities.

During the meeting, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to introducing sustainable financing mechanisms that would improve healthcare delivery and reduce the financial burden on citizens seeking essential medical services.

He explained that the Health Financing Steering Committee, operating under the Office of the Vice President, is spearheading reforms designed to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, attract investment and establish a healthcare system capable of responding effectively to the needs of the population.

“Through the Health Financing Steering Committee under my office, we are driving reforms to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, attract investment, and build a more resilient health system,” the Vice President stated.

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh also commended UNECA for its efforts to advance the Tangier Declaration, which promotes sustainable health financing and stronger domestic investment in healthcare across Africa.

The Vice President described the engagement as an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration and explore practical measures that would support Sierra Leone’s long-term healthcare financing objectives.

Speaking during the discussions, the Chief of Staff of UNECA highlighted the importance of increased Government investment in healthcare, noting that sustainable financing remains essential to improving public health outcomes and supporting national development.

He explained that the delegation’s engagement with the Vice President was intended to strengthen high-level political commitment, policy coordination and oversight of healthcare financing reforms.

The UNECA official drew attention to the Abuja Declaration, under which African Union member states committed to allocating at least 15 percent of their annual national budgets to the health sector.

According to him, Sierra Leone’s current health budget allocation stands at approximately 6 percent, considerably below the 15 percent benchmark established under the Abuja Declaration.

He emphasised the need for sustained efforts to increase domestic financing for healthcare, particularly at a time when African countries continue to face growing demands for improved medical services, infrastructure and health insurance coverage.

The UNECA Chief of Staff further disclosed that households bear approximately 60 percent of healthcare expenditure across Africa, a situation he said highlights the financial pressure faced by families in accessing medical treatment and other essential health services.

He explained that UNECA intends to undertake a health financing survey to assess the respective contributions of Governments and households towards healthcare and health insurance.

The proposed assessment is expected to provide information on existing financing arrangements, identify gaps and support the development of policies aimed at improving healthcare affordability and accessibility.

He maintained that strengthening health financing would not only contribute to healthier populations but also enable Governments to monitor progress, identify challenges and make informed decisions regarding healthcare investment and service delivery.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of stronger institutional coordination, reliable health financing data and sustained partnerships in addressing challenges affecting healthcare systems across the continent.

For Sierra Leone, the engagement represents another step towards strengthening domestic healthcare financing, reducing dependence on external assistance and exploring sustainable approaches to meeting the country’s growing healthcare needs.

The meeting concluded with renewed emphasis on cooperation between the Government of Sierra Leone and UNECA in advancing health financing reforms, promoting investment and supporting the development of a more accessible, affordable and resilient healthcare system for Sierra Leoneans. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65364