By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Parliament was engulfed in grief and solemn reflection on Tuesday following the death of Hon. Musa Peter Moigua, a sitting Member of Parliament and National Organizing Secretary of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). His untimely demise has reignited urgent calls for a predictable and structured healthcare system for Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, announced the passing of Hon. Moigua to the House in an emotional session, revealing that he had spoken with the deceased just hours before his death. “It is sad. He is somebody’s father, somebody’s husband, and he is one of us,” Speaker Thomas lamented as he called for prayers for the late MP.
The announcement sparked an outpouring of concern and frustration among MPs, who used the moment to highlight the recurring health crises within Parliament and the lack of consistent medical support for legislators. Several MPs recounted personal experiences and called on the government and parliamentary leadership to take swift action to provide a reliable and accessible healthcare scheme.
In a heartfelt contribution, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, the Opposition Whip from Kambia District, revealed that three sitting MPs are currently grappling with serious health issues. “Mr. Speaker, if we are afraid of the people, all the people will do is replace us when we die,” he said, visibly emotional. “We must demand healthcare predictability or insurance for ourselves. If I collapse during the course of my duties, I must be sure the State will care for me.”
Hon. Kamara warned that without urgent intervention, more MPs could face preventable deaths due to medical neglect and the absence of an institutional healthcare structure. He stressed the psychological and financial toll it takes on sick MPs and their families, particularly when forced to navigate complex bureaucracies for emergency assistance.
Hon. Aruna Massay Ngahinteh from Bo District supported the call, sharing her own harrowing health battle abroad. She expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for personally intervening in her case but criticized the lack of support from Parliament. “I am still dealing with the aftermath of that illness and using my own money. Parliament offered me no help,” she said.
Echoing her sentiments, Hon. Neneh Lebbie, Deputy Whip 2 of the ruling party, recalled facing a medical emergency while on official duty in Rwanda. She demanded an internal healthcare fund and insurance system, noting that medical issues among MPs should not depend on presidential goodwill or political convenience.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, acknowledged the challenges and thanked President Bio and the Ministry of Health for previous interventions. He confirmed that the President had supported Hon. Moigua’s healthcare last year, along with several other MPs, including those from the opposition. However, he agreed that Parliament must streamline the healthcare process and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“With the Speaker’s permission, I appeal to the government to remove the hurdles that delay healthcare support for MPs,” Hon. Nyuma stated. He also urged MPs to fully implement the healthcare provisions embedded in the Parliament Act of 2023.
Chief Whip Hon. Dickson Rogers proposed a dedicated healthcare budget managed within Parliament. He too commended President Bio’s consistent support but insisted that Parliament should not rely on ad hoc solutions.
Speaker Thomas agreed with the proposal, calling for healthcare “predictability” and a self-managed scheme under parliamentary control. “We need a system where if someone falls sick, the leadership engages the Clerk, documents are processed quickly, and treatment begins without delay,” he emphasized. “We need some form of predictability.”
He reaffirmed his appreciation for President Bio, declaring that “no other leader in Sierra Leone’s history has supported Parliament more.” Still, he urged MPs to reduce reliance on the President’s generosity and institutionalize their healthcare needs.
The session ended with a solemn tribute from the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, who praised Hon. Moigua as a dedicated and respectful statesman. “His calm demeanour and commitment to national service earned him respect across party lines. His death is a loss to Parliament and the nation,” he said, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the SLPP.
As Parliament mourns one of its own, the resounding demand for structured healthcare support could mark a turning point in how Sierra Leone safeguards the well-being of its lawmakers.
