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The Minister of Health, Austin Demby, played a pivotal role at the recently concluded National Forum on Health Financing, FONAFIS2026, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Representing President Julius Bio, Minister Demby engaged in high-level discussions, articulating the ongoing healthcare transformations in Sierra Leone under the President’s leadership.
In his opening address, Minister Demby emphasised that the forum provided a vital opportunity for African nations to exchange views on shared health priorities, including universal health coverage, domestic resource mobilisation, and innovative financing mechanisms that strengthen national health development agendas.
He noted that healthcare systems globally are facing unprecedented challenges, with middle- and low-income countries, particularly in Africa, disproportionately affected. Rising populations and growing healthcare needs underscore the importance of homegrown and continent-wide approaches to health financing, based on national solidarity, efficiency, and collaboration among key stakeholders.
“The health of our citizens lies at the heart of Sierra Leone’s human capital development and social progress,” Minister Demby said. “Ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare requires sufficient resources, effective financing mechanisms, and the collective mobilisation of all stakeholders. The President is deeply committed to making this a reality.”
The forum, which brought together health ministers and leaders from across Africa, provided a platform for experience sharing, honest dialogue, and the development of innovative solutions for local and regional health financing. Participants explored new ways to mobilize resources and enhance the performance of health systems for better collective outcomes.
The conference concluded with Minister Demby joining his counterparts for a courtesy call on His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, marking a symbolic gesture of regional solidarity and collaboration in advancing resilient and sustainable healthcare systems across Africa.
