By Fatou Krubally
The National Assembly Wednesday examined proposed adjustments to the Ministry of Health’s 2027 budget estimates revising allocation for overseas medical treatment from D85 million to D83 million.
This means that the National Assembly’s Committee of Supply has made D2 million reduction in the allocation for overseas medical treatment, from D85 million to D83 million.
The deliberations took place on 14 October 2026 during the examination of the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta.
Members also considered an additional D1 million allocation for quality assurance services, which had no provision in the proposed 2027 estimates.
Another adjustment involved medical and dental services under subventions to non-financial public corporations, where the allocation was increased by D2 million, from D1.7 million to D3.7 million.
The proposed reduction in funding for overseas medical treatment prompted questions from a lawmaker, who sought clarification on why the allocation was being reduced.
During the discussion, members sought further information on the source of the proposed deduction. It was subsequently explained that the D2 million would be deducted from the D5 million allocation for specialized and technical materials under health communication services.
The adjustment would leave D3 million for that budget line.
The committee then proceeded to consider estimates for other ministries as part of its review of the government’s proposed expenditure for the 2027 financial year.
The Ministry of Health’s budget adjustments formed part of the National Assembly’s wider scrutiny of government spending priorities, with members also examining allocations for other ministries, including Fisheries and Water Resources.
The 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure outline the government’s proposed revenue and spending plans for the coming financial year, subject to the remaining budget approval process.