FREETOWN, July 14 — Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas has pledged to champion a health insurance scheme for Members of Parliament, describing improved healthcare and welfare for lawmakers as a priority amid growing concerns over work-related health challenges.
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The commitment was made during Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting after a motion was moved by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.
Speaker Thomas announced that the Clerk of Parliament and his team are developing a proposal for a health insurance scheme for MPs, which will be presented to Parliament for approval and debate.
“The health and welfare of Members of Parliament must be a priority,” Speaker Thomas said, noting that many lawmakers face serious health challenges due to work-related stress and financial pressures. He also cited the deaths of some former MPs, saying the issue could no longer be ignored.
The Speaker further proposed the establishment of a special development fund for district blocks to support lawmakers in addressing pressing constituency needs.
Moving the motion, Hon. Mathew Nyuma said a comparative assessment of other parliaments in the region showed that Sierra Leone’s lawmakers require improved conditions of service. He also called for the full operationalization of Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution through constitutional amendment to strengthen the welfare framework for Members of Parliament.
“The improvement of the welfare of Members of Parliament is long overdue,” Nyuma said.
Supporting the motion, Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo stressed the need to prioritize the health of lawmakers, revealing that four to five MPs in the previous Parliament suffered strokes linked to the pressures of parliamentary work.
Kargbo said the demands of constituency representation, financial obligations, and limited access to comprehensive healthcare have exposed many legislators to significant health risks.
“The victims of today could be any of us tomorrow,” he said. “We must act now before more lives are lost unnecessarily.”
Concluding the debate, Speaker Thomas described the matter as urgent and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing measures that improve the healthcare, welfare, and working conditions of Members of Parliament.
