MONROVIA — Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding fiscal space for the health sector, pointing to sustained increases in public financing and significant improvements in budget execution.
Speaking at the regional launch of the World Bank Group’s Health, Nutrition, and Population Strategy—dubbed “Fit to Prosper”—in Accra, Ghana, Minister Ngafuan said the Boakai administration is prioritizing human capital development through deliberate investment in healthcare.
Health Budget Sees Strong Growth
Ngafuan disclosed that Liberia’s health sector allocation has reached US$110 million for Fiscal Year 2026, marking a 21 percent increase over the previous year.
He highlighted a consistent upward trend in funding, with allocations rising from US$80.3 million in 2024 to US$91.3 million in 2025, signaling what he described as a clear policy shift toward strengthening healthcare delivery.
“These increases reflect our commitment to building a resilient health system and investing in the well-being of our people,” Ngafuan noted.
Improved Budget Execution Signals Reform Gains
Beyond increased allocations, the Minister emphasized marked improvements in budget credibility and execution within the health sector.
Disbursement rates have climbed significantly—from 70 percent in 2023 to 88 percent in 2024, and further to 97.7 percent in 2025—a development he attributed to strengthened public financial management systems.
According to Ngafuan, these gains are the result of targeted expenditure reviews and enhanced coordination between the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Ministry of Health.
A focused “deep dive” engagement at the Ministry of Health led to the development of an implementation compact aimed at addressing bottlenecks, accelerating fund utilization, and improving service delivery outcomes.
Regional Dialogue on Financing Health Systems
At the Accra forum, Ngafuan participated in a high-level ministerial panel on “Fixing Finance,” which examined how countries can improve both the scale and efficiency of public spending to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
The panel, moderated by Anita Erskine, brought together key stakeholders including Victor Asare Bampoe and Awa Marie Coll-Seck.
The “Fit to Prosper” strategy aims to strengthen health systems across West and Central Africa by improving service delivery, expanding equitable access, and enhancing resilience—lessons shaped in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Infrastructure Key to Health Outcomes
Ngafuan also stressed the importance of complementary investments in infrastructure—particularly roads, sanitation, and energy—as critical enablers of health system performance.
He cited the example of the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital, where improved road connectivity to Tappita has increased patient access and enhanced service delivery.
“Health outcomes are not determined by hospitals alone,” he said. “They depend on the broader ecosystem that supports access and service delivery.”
Toward Universal Health Coverage
The Accra meeting brought together finance and health ministers, development partners, and policy leaders to align on innovative financing strategies, domestic resource mobilization, and results-driven investments.
The overarching goal, participants noted, is to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and improved human capital outcomes across the region.
Minister Ngafuan attended the event alongside Liberia’s Health Minister, Louise M. Kpoto, reinforcing a coordinated government approach to health sector reform.
Follow The Liberian Post on Facebook and X (formerly twitter)
