The Ministry of Health has launched its internal budget preparation process with a strategic planning session aimed at equipping senior management with the necessary tools and guidance to develop comprehensive, results-driven budget submissions for the upcoming fiscal year. The session, facilitated by officials from the Ministry of Finance, gathered Heads of Department, Division Managers, and accounting personnel to provide guidance on the Government’s budget preparation process and the requirements for developing budget estimates. These estimates will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance for review as part of the national budget preparation process ahead of the Budget Debate later this year.
Addressing participants, Minister for Health, Michael Joseph, emphasized that budgeting should not be seen as merely assigning figures to projects, but as an opportunity to strategically shape the future of the Ministry. “Project development requires much more than simply putting numbers to a budget. It begins with having a clear vision of where your department is going and what you want to achieve. The budget should build on what has already been accomplished and provide a roadmap for moving the Ministry forward,” the Minister said.
Drawing on his extensive background in the private sector, Minister Joseph highlighted the importance of strategic planning and disciplined budgeting in achieving organizational success. “I have much more experience in the private sector than I do in the public sector, and I understand just how important planning and budgeting are if you want to move an organization forward. I believe that if we adopt that same level of planning and discipline within the public sector, we can place this Ministry, the Government, and the country in a much stronger position to achieve its objectives.”
The Minister reminded participants that resources will always be limited, regardless of the size of a budget allocation, making innovation, creativity, and careful prioritization essential. “It doesn’t matter whether you receive one million dollars or one billion dollars; there will always be more that needs to be done than the resources available. That is why we must be innovative in how we plan, prioritize, and deliver programs and services.”
Minister Joseph further described the Ministry as one of the Government’s most critical portfolios, citing its responsibility for safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, addressing the impacts of climate change, and supporting the country’s public service.
Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige expressed sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for facilitating the engagement and providing valuable guidance to the Ministry’s management and finance teams.
