Freetown, July 14, 2026 — The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas has vowed to champion improved healthcare and welfare for Members of Parliament, announcing plans for a comprehensive health insurance scheme.
The commitment came during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a motion tabled by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.
Speaker Thomas revealed that the Clerk of Parliament and his team are already developing a proposal for the scheme, which will soon be presented for debate and approval.
“The health and welfare of Members of Parliament must be a priority,” Speaker Thomas declared. “Many of us face serious health challenges due to 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.”
He further suggested the creation of a special development fund for district blocks to help MPs address pressing local needs in their constituencies.
Hon. Nyuma, in presenting the motion, argued that Sierra Leone must align with regional parliaments that provide better conditions of service. He cited Section 74(4) of the 1991 Constitution, calling for its full operationalization through constitutional amendment to strengthen MPs’ welfare.
“The improvement of the welfare of Members of Parliament is long overdue,” Nyuma said.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition, echoed the urgency, noting that in the previous Parliament, four to five MPs suffered strokes due to stress. He warned that without adequate medical support, lawmakers remain at serious risk.
“The victims of today could be any of us tomorrow,” Kargbo cautioned. “We must act now before more lives are lost unnecessarily.”
Concluding the debate, Speaker Thomas described the issue as critical and urged Parliament to move swiftly on both the health insurance scheme and broader welfare reforms.
The initiative is expected to spark wider public discussion about lawmakers’ benefits, even as MPs argue that improved welfare is essential for effective representation.
