Senate Holds MFDP and CBL Accountable for Health Sector Funding Gaps

The Senate questioned officials from the MFDP and CBL regarding funding gaps in Liberia’s health sector, specifically addressing a memo about budgetary forfeiture for County Health Officers. CBL stated it lacks discretion to reverse payments, while MFDP confirmed the 3-month spending period described in the Public Financial Management Law. Senators expressed dissatisfaction with the vague responses and called for more accountability.

On March 21, 2025, officials from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) faced scrutiny from the Senate regarding budgetary gaps in the health sector. This inquiry follows warnings issued to County Health Officers about potential forfeiture of their budgetary allocations for the first quarter unless they utilize the funds by the end of March.

A joint public hearing, which included various government bodies such as the Ministry of Health and the Civil Service Agency, aimed to address the delays in disbursing financial support to hospitals nationwide. During the session, officials were urged to clarify the reasons behind the non-disbursement of these crucial funds.

CBL Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi clarified that the bank does not hold the authority to reverse funds once they have been allocated to institutional accounts. He emphasized that, “The CBL doesn’t have control over the account. Once the account is funded, the funds are available to the account owner at all times.”

The Deputy Minister for Budget at the MFDP, Madam Tenneh G. Brunson, was questioned regarding a memo that indicated funds might be reversed if not used within a specified period. While she did not confirm or deny the existence of the memo, she mentioned that County Health Officers generally have a three-month window post-year-end to utilize available funds. However, she did not reference the particular section of the Public Financial Management Law (PFM-Law) relevant to this claim.

Senators expressed frustration with the Minister’s vague responses, highlighting that the MFDP has yet to fulfill its financial obligations for the 2024 budget year, which raises doubts about the viability of such regulations. Concern was voiced regarding the lack of clear answers, especially from an experienced official who should be familiar with the PFM-Law.

The hearing raised significant concerns surrounding the accountability and operational capacity of the Ministry of Finance regarding health sector funding, pointing to a critical need for greater transparency and effective management of public resources.

The Senate hearings brought to light significant concerns over the disbursement and management of health sector funding by the MFDP and CBL. Officials failed to provide satisfactory explanations for funding delays, and their responses prompted heightened scrutiny regarding financial protocols. Overall, the situation underscores the urgent need for improved accountability and effective financial governance within Liberia’s health sector.

Original Source: thenewdawnliberia.com