The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has pledged to champion improved healthcare and welfare for Members of Parliament (MPs), describing their well-being as essential to the effective discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The commitment was made during the parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, in response to a motion moved by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo.
Providing an update on the initiative, Speaker Thomas announced that the Clerk of Parliament and his team are developing a proposal for a health insurance scheme for Members of Parliament. He said the proposal will soon be laid before Parliament for consideration and debate.
“The health and welfare of Members of Parliament must be a priority,” Speaker Thomas said. “Many of us face serious health challenges arising from work-related stress and financial pressures. We have also witnessed the untimely deaths of some of our former colleagues. This is an issue we can no longer afford to ignore.”
The Speaker also highlighted the demanding nature of parliamentary work and proposed the establishment of a special development fund for district blocks to help MPs address pressing needs within their constituencies.
Moving the motion, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, said a comparative assessment of parliamentary welfare systems in other countries had demonstrated the need for Sierra Leone to improve the conditions of service for its lawmakers. He referenced Section 74(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, noting that it should be fully operationalized through a constitutional amendment to strengthen provisions relating to the welfare of Members of Parliament.
“The improvement of the welfare of Members of Parliament is long overdue,” Hon. Nyuma stated.
Seconding the motion, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, underscored the urgent need to prioritize the health and well-being of MPs. He revealed that during the previous Parliament, between four and five Members of Parliament reportedly suffered strokes linked to the stress associated with their legislative and constituency responsibilities.
Hon. Kargbo said the combined pressures of constituency representation, financial obligations, and the absence of comprehensive medical support have placed many lawmakers at significant health risk. He urged Parliament to exercise its constitutional authority to safeguard the lives and welfare of its members.
“The victims of today could be any of us tomorrow,” Hon. Kargbo cautioned. “We must act now before more lives are lost unnecessarily.”
Concluding the debate, Speaker Thomas described the issue as both urgent and critical, calling for swift action to improve the healthcare, welfare, and overall working conditions of Members of Parliament.
The proposed health insurance scheme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the welfare of lawmakers and ensure they are better equipped to carry out their legislative, oversight, and representative functions.