Sierra Leone’s health budget allocation stands at approximately 6%, below the 15% target under the Abuja Declaration, prompting renewed calls for increased domestic investment in health care.
The issue featured prominently in discussions between Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and a high-level delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as both sides explored ways to strengthen sustainable health financing.
The meeting focused on mobilising domestic resources, attracting investment and implementing reforms to improve the resilience of Sierra Leone’s health care system, according to information reported by The Calabash Newspaper.
Jalloh said the government was pursuing reforms through the Health Financing Steering Committee under his office to improve financing arrangements and strengthen health service delivery.
“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.
He also commended UNECA for its efforts to advance the Tangier Declaration, which promotes sustainable health financing and greater domestic investment in health care across Africa.
During the discussions, UNECA’s chief of staff emphasised the need for stronger government investment in health care, describing sustainable financing as essential to improving public health outcomes and supporting national development.
The official said the delegation’s engagement with Jalloh was intended to reinforce political commitment, improve policy coordination and strengthen oversight of health financing reforms.
He cited the Abuja Declaration, under which African Union member states committed to allocating at least 15% of their annual national budgets to health. Sierra Leone’s reported allocation of approximately 6% remains below that benchmark.
The delegation also highlighted the financial burden on households, noting that families account for approximately 60% of health care expenditure across Africa, according to the UNECA official.
The official said UNECA plans to conduct a health financing survey to examine the contributions of governments and households to health care costs and health insurance.
The proposed assessment is expected to identify gaps in existing financing arrangements and provide evidence to guide policies aimed at making medical services more affordable and accessible.
The delegation further stressed the importance of reliable financing data and stronger institutional coordination to help governments assess investment needs, monitor progress and improve health service delivery.
For Sierra Leone, the discussions centred on increasing domestic funding, reducing reliance on external assistance and developing financing mechanisms capable of meeting the country’s growing health care needs.
The engagement concluded with an emphasis on continued cooperation between the government and UNECA to advance reforms and support a more accessible, affordable and resilient health care system.