As Sierra Leone’s Life Expectancy Increases, citizens call for more improvements on its health system

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Sierra Leone's population is witnessing a steady rise in life expectancy, prompting citizens to demand further enhancements in the country's healthcare system. This is according to the life expectancy chart on macrotrends.net which shows a 0.63% increase in life expectancy from 55.9 years in 2023 to 56.27 years in 2024. This improvement in life expectancy has had an impact on Sierra Leone's latest global ranking by the Worldometers. According to this ranking, Sierra Leone holds the 186th position out of 201 nations, with an average expected age of 60.79 years placing Sierra Leone ahead of 15 other countries, including DR Congo, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivorie, Guinea, Mali, and Guinea Bissau. However, the latest global ranking also reveals a gender disparity in life expectancy within Sierra Leone. Women in Sierra Leone have a current life expectancy of 62.11 years, which is approximately three years longer than men whose life expectancy is 59.69 years. Government officials and some health experts view the latest increase in life expectancy as a reflection of the progress made in transforming the country's health system. They argue that the data showing a cumulative five-year increase in overall life expectancy from 2020 to the present supports their claim. Nevertheless, some citizens interviewed by AWE-Media.SL welcomed the positive development but emphasized the need for further improvements in the health sector of Sierra Leone. They believe that enhancing life expectancy is not the only goal, but also preventing the need to refer patients to other countries like Ghana and India for surgical operations and advanced health treatments. Looking ahead, these citizens urge authorities to invest more in the health sector of this tourism and mineral-rich West African nation.