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President Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system following the country’s successful award of $20 million from the Pandemic Fund.
This global financing initiative supports low- and middle-income countries in enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts.
The announcement was made during a high-level briefing at State House, where Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby, alongside representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), updated President Bio on the significance of the funding.
The allocated resources will be directed toward improving disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and workforce training to bolster the nation’s health security infrastructure.
Dr. Demby highlighted that securing the Pandemic Fund was a highly competitive process, but Sierra Leone’s success was driven by a strong, collaborative proposal that met the fund’s stringent criteria. “This award marks a strategic shift from reactive crisis management to proactive health security measures,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of continuous preparedness in combating public health threats.
WHO Country Representative Dr. George Ameh commended President Bio’s leadership in advancing universal health coverage, noting Sierra Leone’s voluntary participation in the Universal Health Review as a testament to its commitment. “The strong partnerships between the government, WHO, FAO, and other stakeholders played a critical role in securing this funding,” he stated.
FAO Country Representative Dr. Saeed Abubakar Bancie echoed similar sentiments, outlining the fund’s key focus areas, including disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and health workforce development. He also emphasized FAO’s commitment to strengthening animal health systems, which are crucial in preventing zoonotic diseases.
President Bio expressed his gratitude to the team of health experts and development partners whose efforts led to Sierra Leone’s successful bid for the Pandemic Fund. He stressed that the funding must translate into tangible improvements in healthcare services.
“This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished through determination and collaboration,” President Bio stated. “Strengthening our healthcare system remains a national priority, and this funding will significantly contribute to keeping Sierra Leoneans safe and healthy.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to universal health coverage and called on the Ministry of Health and its partners to ensure effective implementation of the funded initiatives. “The hard work that secured this fund must now be reflected in meaningful improvements in our healthcare system,” he concluded.
The $20 million Pandemic Fund award is expected to play a transformative role in Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape, enhancing its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats while advancing the country’s universal health coverage agenda.
