Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive health insurance scheme for Members of Parliament, saying the health and welfare of lawmakers must become a national priority.
The commitment was made during Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting following a motion moved by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.
Addressing the House, Speaker Thomas disclosed that the Clerk of Parliament and his team are finalizing a proposal for a health insurance scheme, which will soon be laid before Parliament for debate and approval.
“The health and welfare of Members of Parliament must be a priority,” Speaker Thomas said. “Many of us face serious health challenges as a result of work-related stress and financial pressures. We have also witnessed the untimely deaths of some former colleagues. This is an issue we can no longer ignore.”
Moving the motion, Hon. Mathew Nyuma said Parliament had conducted a comparative assessment of legislatures across the sub-region with stronger welfare packages for lawmakers. He cited Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution, arguing that the provision should be fully operationalized through constitutional amendment to strengthen the welfare of Members of Parliament.
“The improvement of the welfare of Members of Parliament is long overdue,” Nyuma told the House.
Supporting the motion, Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo stressed that lawmakers continue to face enormous pressure in the discharge of their duties. He revealed that between four and five Members of Parliament in the previous legislature reportedly suffered strokes linked to work-related stress, citing constituency demands, financial burdens and inadequate medical support as major contributing factors.
“The victims of today could be any of us tomorrow,” Kargbo warned. “We must act now before more lives are lost unnecessarily.”
Beyond healthcare, Speaker Thomas also proposed the establishment of a special development fund for district blocks to assist Members of Parliament in responding to urgent needs within their constituencies.
The proposal comes amid increasing public debate over the welfare of elected officials and the cost of governance. While supporters argue that healthier and better-supported lawmakers are essential for effective legislation and parliamentary oversight, critics are expected to question the financial implications at a time of economic hardship.
If approved, the proposed health insurance scheme would represent one of the most significant welfare reforms for Sierra Leone’s Parliament in recent years, providing structured healthcare support for lawmakers as they carry out their constitutional responsibilities.