Demby Presses Parliament to Scrap 1902 Lunacy Act
The Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, has urged Parliament to pass the Mental Health Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace Sierra Leone’s Lunacy Act of 1902 with a modern legal framework for mental healthcare.
Making a case for the proposed legislation, Dr Demby said the existing law, introduced during the colonial era, no longer reflects the country’s current mental healthcare needs or adequately protects the rights and dignity of people living with mental health conditions.
He highlighted the growing impact of substance use, particularly kush, on young people, as well as the challenges families face when caring for relatives experiencing mental health conditions. He stressed that affected individuals deserve access to proper healthcare and support rather than stigma and discrimination.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a National Mental Health Directorate responsible for coordinating mental health services across the country, under the oversight of an independent Board.
Dr Demby called on lawmakers to support and pass the Bill without delay, describing it as an important step towards building a more compassionate mental healthcare system that respects the rights and dignity of affected individuals.
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