Senate Scrutinizes MFDP and CBL Over Health Sector Funding Issues
On March 21, 2025, the Senate questioned officials from the MFDP and CBL regarding funding inadequacies in the health sector. Concerns were raised over a memo warning County Health Officers of potential budget forfeiture due to unspent funds. The engagements revealed inconsistencies in financial oversight and regulatory adherence, prompting further inquiries from senators dissatisfied with the Ministry’s performance.
On March 21, 2025, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) faced scrutiny from the Senate Joint Committee concerning substantial funding gaps in the health sector. This questioning arose amidst warnings to County Health Officers regarding the potential forfeiture of their budget allocations for the first quarter of the year, contingent upon their spending behaviors between March 21 and 31, despite non-disbursement of those funds.
During a Joint Public Hearing, the representatives from the MFDP, CBL, and the Ministry of Health were called to justify delays in disbursing funds to hospitals nationwide. Additionally, the session sought clarity on a memo concerning financial reversals directed at County Health Officers, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Finance. CBL Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi clarified that the bank has no policy rights to reverse funds already deposited into institutional accounts, asserting that these funds remain accessible to the account holder at all times.
Deputy MFDP Minister for Budget, Madam Tenneh G. Brunson, offered ambiguous responses when questioned about the memo sent to County Health Officers, stating that, according to her understanding of the Public Financial Management Law (PFM-Law), funds allocated must be spent within three months following the year-end. However, she failed to cite specific sections from the law, and her remarks highlighted a prevailing uncertainty regarding the details of fund disbursements.
Brunson’s vague responses elicited further concern among senators, who expressed disappointment over the Ministry’s ineffectiveness in facilitating necessary operations funding for County Health Officers. They questioned the MFDP’s adherence to established regulations in light of their failure to discharge full payments from the 2024 budget by the stipulated deadline, which ends this March. The senators regarded her inability to precisely address queries as unacceptable, underscoring their expectation for clear and accountable financial oversight.
In summary, the recent Senate Joint Committee hearing has unveiled significant concerns regarding the funding of the health sector in Liberia. Officials from the MFDP and CBL were questioned about delayed disbursements, leading to dissatisfaction among senators regarding the clarity and effectiveness of the Ministry’s financial management. The discourse revealed critical issues surrounding policy adherence and accountability in the allocation of health sector funds, emphasizing the need for systematic improvements in these processes.
Original Source: thenewdawnliberia.com
