A high-level delegation from Sierra Leone, led by Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Charles Senesie, participated in the inaugural Regional Public Service Leadership Conference on Human Health Workforce Development held in Monrovia, Liberia. The four-day summit brought together experts and senior government officials from various countries to discuss and strategize on enhancing healthcare systems through regional collaboration.
During his address, Prof. Senesie praised the conference organizers for their efforts in bringing together leaders to focus on critical healthcare issues. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, asserting that it is essential for the improvement of healthcare systems across the region. He expressed Sierra Leone’s strong endorsement of the conference’s outcome document, which aligns with the country’s comprehensive life-stage healthcare model aimed at addressing the diverse health needs of its population.
Prof. Senesie also highlighted the effectiveness of South-South partnerships, sharing examples of Sierra Leone’s assistance to Liberia during a recent fire outbreak. He cited collaborations with Rwanda as a testament to the solidarity and mutual support among partner nations in the region. These partnerships, he argued, are crucial for building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to both current and future challenges.
Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health, welcomed the delegates on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. She underscored the significance of the South-South Partnership in advancing healthcare initiatives and reaffirmed the Liberian government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and governance frameworks for sustainable development. Her remarks resonated with the overarching theme of the conference, which focused on enhancing public service excellence in health.
Matthew Beckhio, the Director of Training and Career Development at Sierra Leone’s Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), spoke about the critical need for a well-supported health workforce. He stressed the importance of establishing effective frameworks that promote transparency and accountability in addressing regional healthcare challenges. His insights highlighted the necessity for a collaborative approach to workforce development, ensuring that health professionals are adequately trained and supported.
Representatives from regional organizations, including HeDPAC, ECOWAS, and officials from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, also shared their perspectives during the conference. They reiterated their commitment to regional cooperation in advancing health workforce development, showcasing a collective resolve to tackle the pressing health challenges faced by their nations.
A significant outcome of the conference was the signing of a communiqué by Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. This agreement commits the countries to advancing human health workforce development through the South-South Partnership, establishing a Public Service Leadership Framework aimed at enhancing governance reforms and strengthening the resilience of healthcare institutions.
The conference, themed “Advancing Human Health Workforce through Public Service Excellence: Building Resilient and Innovative Institutions for Sustainable Development,” provided a vital platform for public service and health leaders to explore solutions to workforce challenges. It also laid the groundwork for sustainable healthcare improvements in the region.
In a separate meeting, Prof. Senesie engaged with Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, CEO of Health Development Partnership Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC), to discuss potential policy support for health technical workers in Sierra Leone who are currently not on PIN Codes. Dr. Getahun reaffirmed HeDPAC’s commitment to supporting sustainable healthcare workforce development, focusing on building resilient health systems that are prepared for future challenges.
Prof. Senesie welcomed these commitments, stressing the urgent need for the government to provide PIN codes for volunteer healthcare workers in Sierra Leone. He assured attendees that the government is dedicated to resolving this issue to ensure a well-supported healthcare workforce.
The Sierra Leone delegation, which included key officials from various ministries, also had the opportunity to meet with Liberia’s President Joseph N. Boakai to present the framework of the signed communiqué. President Boakai expressed his unwavering support for the initiative, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two countries.
The delegation concluded their visit by strengthening diplomatic ties at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Liberia, where they were warmly received by Deputy Ambassador Lusine Kallon and Embassy staff. This visit reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional cooperation and collaboration in health workforce development, paving the way for future partnerships and initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare systems across the region.
