Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. In the wake of the sudden death of Hon. Musa Peter Moigua, Members of Parliament, led by the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas, solemnly called for the establishment of predictable healthcare services for MPs and parliamentary staff.
The call was made during a sombre session in Parliament on Tuesday, marked by grief and urgent appeals for systemic healthcare reform.
Announcing the passing of Hon. Moigua, Speaker Thomas expressed deep sorrow, revealing he had spoken with the deceased hours before his demise. “It is sad, he is somebody’s father, somebody’s husband, and he is one of us,” he mourned. He urged the House to pray for the late MP and emphasized the need for a dedicated healthcare system within Parliament.
Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District emotionally disclosed that three MPs were currently battling severe health conditions, calling for a healthcare scheme or insurance tailored to MPs. “If we are afraid of the people, they’ll simply replace us when we die,” he warned, urging collective action to prevent further loss.
Hon. Aruna Massay Ngahinteh of Bo District shared her personal ordeal of seeking treatment abroad, lamenting the lack of parliamentary support and expressing gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for his intervention. Similarly, Deputy Whip 2 of the ruling party, Hon. Neneh Lebbie, recounted a health emergency in Rwanda and echoed demands for a healthcare scheme.
Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, acknowledged President Bio’s contributions to MPs’ healthcare but stressed the need to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks. He advocated for the enforcement of provisions in the Parliament Act 2023.
Chief Whip Hon. Dickson Rogers suggested Parliament should have its own healthcare budget, while Speaker Thomas reaffirmed that Parliament must establish a system allowing MPs to access healthcare directly through internal processes.
In a heartfelt tribute, Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo hailed the late Hon. Moigua as a respected public servant, extending condolences to his family, the SLPP, and Parliament. “His calm demeanour and dedication earned him admiration across party lines,” he stated.
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