By Crispina Taylor
Minister of Health and Sanitation, MoHS, Dr AbubakarFofanah, on Tuesday presented a bill seeking the establishment of a new Teaching Hospital.
But the Bill titled the ‘Teaching Hospitals Complex Act 2016,’ stumbled in the well of parliament as some MPs said because of some many inconsistencies it needed to be sent to the pre-legislative committee.
The proposed legislation, among others, provides for the establishment of a Teaching Hospital that would serve as an institution for both undergraduate and post graduate training in the medical and allied health professions.
It will also allow for the undertaking of research into health issues for the purpose of advancing medical knowledge and improving the health conditions of the people of Sierra Leone.
There were mixed reactions from the House; while all of the MPs welcomed the news, some of them had concerns to raise.
Hannah Bundu Songowa, APC, said a teaching hospital was long overdue, noting that the country needed the expertise.
Dr Abdulai Sesay, APC, Chairman of Health Committee, said one could not give what they didn’t have. He explained that the health sector had a lot of challenges and that a teaching hospital was the best thing the country needed.
“Now that this opportunity is open a lot of young doctors will have specialty and not go to other countries to work,” he said.
Helen Kuyembeh, SLPP, while welcoming the initiative, expressed concern about the constitution of the board. She observed that in some part of the bill the board is mentioned and in other parts it refers to Council. Ms Kuyembeh suggested that the bill be committed to the pre-legislative committee so that MPs can be provided with better understanding on it.
In a rare move, the Ministry of Health bypassed the pre-legislative committee to present the bill, and many MPs found that unacceptable.
Kuyembeh said some MDAs would bring bills to parliament and expected it to go through the first, second and third reading and get ratified the same day.
She noted that as the people’s representatives they needed to take back correct information to their constituents and this could only be possible when they have first hand information on such bills at the pre-legislative session.
Ansumana Kaikai, SLPP, Deputy Minority Leader, said Ebola had taught lawmakers to be very serious about the health of people in the country. He observed that part of the Hospital Act 2013 appeared to have been reviewed in the Teaching Hospitals Act 2016, and he wanted an explanation, which he was only likely to get at a pre-legislative committee where the minister should explain.
Majority Leader, Ibrahim Bundu, said whenever Sierra Leoneans were determined to do something positive, it would be quick and thorough. So he felt the initiative was welcomed as it would benefit everybody.
The debate was adjourned.
(C) Politico 02/03/16
