‘Health Sector Under-Prioritized’ -Konneh’s Research-based Critique of 2026 Uncovers -Calls for Reallocation of Security Funds to Health Sector

MONROVIA – Liberia’s 2026 national budget has come under forensic, research-based scrutiny, with Senator Amara Konneh questioning the government’s priorities, particularly in the health sector. Despite a growing budget that is put at $1.2 billion, the health sector’s share has woefully declined, sparking concerns about the Unity Party government’s commitment to improving healthcare services. Senator Konneh’s analysis reveals a disturbing trend, with curative services dominating allocations, while preventive services and county-level healthcare suffer from underfunding. The Analyst reports.

Senator Amara Konneh, representing Gbarpolu County, has released an insightful, thought-provoking analysis of the Government of Liberia’s 2026 fiscal budget, focusing on the health sector.

The budget, totaling $1.2 billion, has been widely criticized for allocating a declining share to the health sector, despite overall funding increases, and Senator Konneh has invested time in bringing out details of those concerns.

According to Senator Konneh’s analysis, the health sector’s share of the national budget decreased from 10.5% in FY2024 to 8.4% in FY2026, indicating under-prioritization compared to other sectors, particularly security.

The analysis highlights concerns with curative services dominating allocations, while preventive services remain underfunded, and administration costs rising steadily.

The key findings of the analysis

The health sector allocation grew from $76,561,145 in FY2024 to $91,347,192 in FY2025, and $101,711,262 in FY2026, representing a 19.3% increase from FY2024 to FY2025, and an 11.4% increase from FY2025 to FY2026.

The per capita healthcare allocation increased from $16.33 in FY2024 to $19.37 in FY2026.

County-level allocations vary, with Nimba receiving $6.33 per capita, Montserrado $6.20, Gbarpolu $3.64, Bong $5.02, Grand Bassa $1.09, and Sinoe $1.46.

Senator Konneh emphasized the need for the Senate to prioritize health by reallocating resources from the security sector, ensuring healthcare receives necessary attention and support.

He noted: “Although health is a vital pillar of Liberia’s development goals, its share of the national budget continues to decline despite apparent increases in overall funding.

“The House of Representatives approved the draft FY2026 budget without addressing this concerning imbalance. It is now essential for the Senate to prioritize health by reallocating resources from the security sector to ensure that healthcare receives the attention and support it truly needs.”

Indicating that the health is the foundation of a nation’s productivity and human capital growth, Konneh’s reading of the budget uncovered that despite increased funding in absolute terms, the sector’s share of the national budget has decreased from 10.5% in FY2024 to 8.4% in FY2026.

“This indicates it is being underprioritized compared to other sectors, especially the security sector, even as Liberia faces urgent issues in preventive care, health infrastructure, trained professionals, and equitable access.”

He said health allocations are rising in absolute terms but declining in relative share, with preventive care underfunded and administration costs rising disproportionately.

According to him, the expansion of PSIP is promising, but without stronger operational funding and strategic investment in referral hospitals, particularly Emirates Hospital, to elevate it as the third national referral hospital serving western Liberia, Liberia risks widening inequities in healthcare access.

See PAGE 2 of this edition’s hard copy full analysis of the allocation as contained in the government’s 2026 fiscal budget.