Ministry of Health has allocated NLe50 million from its 2025 budget to address gender disparities in healthcare. This funding will support initiatives targeting maternal and child health, adolescent care, and the inclusion of women in leadership roles, forming part of a broader strategy to reduce mortality rates and ensure equitable healthcare access.
A key focus of the initiative is to reduce the maternal mortality rate from 443 per 100,000 live births to 221 per 100,000 by 2030. To achieve this, NLe20 million has been designated for programs, including the enactment of the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill, improving access to essential drugs and medical supplies, and enhancing community engagement on sexual and reproductive health.
Efforts to combat under-five mortality will also receive significant attention, with NLe15 million allocated to reduce the rate from 112 per 1,000 live births to 5 per 1,000 by 2030. These funds will support awareness campaigns on sexual and reproductive health, promote antenatal and postnatal care, and bolster national immunization and nutrition programs.
To address challenges in adolescent health, the ministry has committed NLe10 million to reducing adolescent mortality from 102 per 1,000 to 6 per 1,000 in all districts by 2030. This funding will establish six adolescent-friendly centers, providing comprehensive healthcare and tailored support for young people.
The ministry is also working to enhance women’s leadership in the health sector. With a NLe2 million allocation, mentorship programs and gender mainstreaming training will aim to increase the representation of women in leadership roles from 41% to 81% by 2030.
An additional NLe3 million has been dedicated to finalizing and launching the Health Sector Gender Policy and Strategy. This initiative seeks to institutionalize gender equity across all aspects of healthcare governance and service delivery.
These gender-focused initiatives form part of the Ministry of Health’s overall NLe131.7 million budget for 2025, reflecting a strong commitment to reducing health inequities and addressing gender-based challenges. By prioritizing maternal and child health, empowering adolescents, and promoting women’s leadership, Sierra Leone is making significant strides toward building an inclusive and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of its most vulnerable populations.