The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, announced that the Government of Sierra Leone is shifting its focus towards a more holistic approach in the health sector.
He made this statement during the technical
session of the National Policy Hearing for the 2025 Budget, emphasizing the
government’s commitment to universal health coverage and the equal value of
every Sierra Leonean's health.
According to Dr. Demby, Sierra Leone’s health
sector has long been driven by a disease-specific focus, where resources and
personnel are allocated to areas with substantial donor funding.
However, this approach has led to significant
gaps in care, where individuals might receive treatment for one condition but
remain vulnerable to others.
The minister stated that the government has
recognized this flaw and is now shifting its focus toward a more holistic
approach, ensuring that every citizen has access to a comprehensive range of
health services, from HIV and malaria treatment to nutrition and beyond.
This new approach is not selective; it aims to
provide quality care for all, ensuring that each individual sees themselves
reflected in a healthcare system that recognizes and responds to their diverse
needs.
“We need a transformative approach because health
matters to each and every one of us; it impacts families, communities,
districts, and the nation as a whole,” Minister Demby remarked. “In Sierra
Leone, we are undergoing a radical transformation in healthcare, shifting from
a disease-driven, donor-dependent model to a person-centered, holistic system
that addresses the needs of all 8 million citizens.”
To achieve this ambitious goal, the Ministry of
Health has adopted a life-stage approach that follows individuals from
conception to old age. This begins with pregnant women, ensuring they receive
the necessary care to maintain their health and safely deliver their babies.
The focus then shifts to the critical early
years, aiming not only to ensure newborn survival but also to support their
development to full potential.
As children grow, the healthcare system will
address issues such as malaria, diarrheal diseases, and vaccine-preventable
illnesses to ensure they are ready for school. This holistic care continues
through adolescence, adulthood, and into the senior years, with each life stage
receiving targeted attention based on its unique health needs.
Minister Demby highlighted that investing in
health is not merely an expenditure but an investment with tangible returns.
“More than 80% of districts now have special baby care units, demonstrating our
commitment to saving the lives of newborns,” he stated.
The establishment of the National Public Health
Agency has further strengthened the country’s ability to prevent, prepare for,
and respond to health emergencies, allowing for proactive interventions to
contain potential outbreaks before they escalate.
Innovative programs have also been launched that
leverage technology to identify and support every pregnant woman in the
country, ensuring both mother and child receive the necessary care throughout
pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Sierra Leone’s transformation in healthcare is a
deliberate and strategic process that places the health and well-being of every
citizen at its core.
By moving from a disease-focused to a person-centered
approach, embracing universal health coverage, and adopting a life-stage
framework, the nation is making a significant investment in its future.
As
the Ministry sets targets and monitors progress, there is confidence that these
investments will yield tangible returns, leading to a healthier, more
prosperous Sierra Leone for all.