Health and Gender Budget Proposals Take Centre Stage for FY2027

The Ministry of Finance continued its FY2027 Bilateral Budget Discussions this week, with detailed presentations from the Ministries of Health and Gender and Children’s Affairs. Deputy Minister of Finance I, Kadiatu Allie, implored participants to look beyond headline allocations and ensure resources are meticulously aligned with national priorities for measurable results.
The Ministry of Health requested NLe341.27 million in recurrent funding for FY2027, above the budget ceiling of NLe153.30 million, resulting in an excess recurrent requirement of NLe187.96 million. The Ministry proposed NLe211 million in new capital projects to strengthen immunisation, family planning, HIV/AIDS, TB/Leprosy and malaria programs; build regional hospitals; provide seed funding for Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance (SLeSHI); and expand dialysis services. This, together with the NLe52.57 million for ongoing capital projects for FY2026, brings the Ministry’s total capital requirement to NLe263.57 million.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Charles Senessie, framed his funding appeal around recent gains and ongoing needs. He cited decreases in maternal and infant mortality, higher life expectancy, improved immunisation coverage, and the recruitment of more than 3,000 health workers through the government’s digital recruitment platform. He also highlighted investments in emergency and specialised health services. He urged more government funding to help the sector meet the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15% of national budgets to health.
Health spending is a life-saving, forward-thinking, and social investment, Senior Permanent Secretary Andrew Sorie reiterated, calling for continued funding to improve service delivery and the overall health system. The Ministry’s presentation also highlighted ongoing health financing reforms, including the development of a Health Financing Policy and Bill, completion of the Health Financing Strategy 2026-2030, and plans to establish a Health Financing Agency to oversee the Free Health Care program and future health insurance arrangements.
During the session, Principal Deputy Financial Secretary Samuel E.B. Momoh asked the Ministry to define its strategic goals and identify specific opportunities for private-sector investment and innovation in the health value chain. Mr Momoh stressed that mobilising private capital and harnessing innovation will be critical to supplementing limited public resources.
Budget discussions also touched on the relationship between government and donor financing. Participants noted that development partners’ health sector resources have fallen from approximately US$313 million in 2025 to approximately US$267 million in 2026, highlighting the need to mobilise sustainable domestic financing for health priorities.
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs also tabled its funding needs for FY2027, requesting NLe7.96 million to support its mandate and priority programs. The session, chaired by Deputy Minister of Finance II Isata Marah and Deputy Director of Budget Dr Illara Mahdi, reviewed government and donor support for gender- and child-focused initiatives. Civil society representatives joined the discussions, sharing their views on the Ministry’s priorities and calling for additional resources to deliver tangible results in gender equality, child protection, and related services.
A common theme that emerged as bilateral discussions progressed was that, to maintain recent gains in the health and social sectors, constrained budgets and declining donor support will require clearer strategic plans, stronger domestic financing mechanisms, and deeper engagement with the private sector and development partners.