Parliament Moves to Establish Healthcare Insurance for Members

Parliament Moves to Establish Healthcare Insurance for Members

The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has committed to championing an improved healthcare and insurance scheme for Members of Parliament (MPs) in attempts to address the welfare of lawmakers.

The announcement was made during Tuesday's plenary session on July 14, 2026, following a motion raised by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.

The proposed initiative, currently being drafted by the Clerk of Parliament and his team, will soon be presented to the House for debate and approval. Hon. Thomas emphasized that the health of MPs must be prioritized, noting that many lawmakers face severe stress and financial pressures while serving their constituents. He cited the tragic and untimely deaths of former colleagues as evidence that the issue can no longer be ignored.

During the session, Hon. Nyuma argued that improving the welfare of MPs is "long overdue." Referencing Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, he called for the operationalization of constitutional amendments to ensure better conditions of service, drawing comparisons to other regional parliaments that offer stronger support systems.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, provided sobering context regarding the urgency of the situation. He disclosed that several MPs in the previous Parliament suffered strokes due to work-related stress, and he warned that many have lost their lives in substandard medical facilities due to a lack of adequate funding for care. 

Hon. Kargbo also shared his personal experience, noting that he currently struggles with high blood pressure, and stressed that the current lack of comprehensive medical support places all lawmakers at serious risk.

“The victims of today could be any of us tomorrow,” Hon. Kargbo warned. “We must act now before more lives are lost unnecessarily”.

In addition to the insurance scheme, Hon. Thomas proposed the establishment of a special development fund for district blocks to address pressing local needs, further highlighting the heavy burden carried by representatives. 

He concluded the session by reaffirming that the health and overall working conditions of Parliament members are critical priorities that require immediate legislative action.