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At the Annual Meetings 2025 of the Health Works Leaders Coalition Roundtable in Washington, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby highlighted the progress of Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector. Representing President Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Demby joined global leaders including Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; and Atsushi Mimura, Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs of Japan.
Dr. Demby reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a results-driven healthcare system designed to provide quality care even amid global climate risks and public health challenges.
“We are expanding access while ensuring quality behind that access,” the Minister said. “Our plan is to increase primary healthcare units from 1,600 to 2,000 by 2030. Already, 85% of our population lives within a 5-km radius of a health facility. But we must complement this access with quality, ensuring facilities are resilient, well-equipped, staffed, and powered with renewable solar energy.”
He highlighted other sector achievements, including the electrification of over 380 health facilities with 24-hour renewable energy, ongoing construction of modern healthcare facilities, and expansion of the health workforce.
To date, more than 8,000 health professionals have been recruited, 10,000 volunteers are transitioning to payroll, and 25,000 community health workers, mostly women, are strengthening the primary healthcare system.
“We invite our partners to join us, not in starting a journey, but in accelerating a transformation already underway,” Dr. Demby concluded.
