By: Mohamed Sahr
In a bid to strengthen healthcare delivery and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering collaboration and achieving tangible outcomes. This pledge came during the climax of the National Health Summit held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Bintumani Conference Hall.
Dr. Demby emphasized that the summit plays a vital role in driving innovation and building a health system that serves every Sierra Leonean effectively. He highlighted the significance of the “One Plan, One Budget, and One Report” initiative, noting that this strategic alignment with the National Health Plan encourages unity among development partners and stakeholders, ultimately transforming the country’s healthcare system.
The Minister stressed the Ministry’s focus on strengthening the Life Stages Approach and promoting patient-centered care.
Addressing the ongoing Mpox outbreak, Dr. Demby acknowledged the rising number of cases but assured the public of the Ministry’s proactive efforts in prevention and response. “We are ready to respond and minimize the cases through vaccination,” he said.
He further assured that the Ministry will roll out key public health messages on Mpox, focusing on prevention and control through a district-to-district engagement strategy.
Dr. Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services, noted that the summit fostered awareness and cooperation in strategizing efforts to combat Mpox. He emphasized that improving service delivery was a central theme of the discussions, with development partners showing strong engagement.
Dr. Kabba stated that the Ministry will develop recommendations aimed at enhancing healthcare services nationwide. He also underscored the importance of community participation, describing it as “an added flesh to the bone.” He acknowledged existing gaps between service delivery and community expectations but assured that these gaps would soon be addressed.
Speaking on the recognition of outstanding contributions, Dr. Kabba said awards will be given to individuals who have significantly elevated the healthcare landscape, serving as motivation for others in the sector to strive for excellence.