Former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale South constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, has indicated that Parliament’s medical facility be made free and accessible to both current and former MPs.
The MPs decried their poor conditions of service amidst public criticisms of the political class living a better life than the ordinary citizen.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Haruna Iddrisu shared the concerns raised by the MP for Asawase, Muntaka Mohammed.
“When we sit here, we allow the public to bastardise us for ex gratia; beyond ex gratia, what is the quality of life of a former MP and what are we doing to improve our lot?” he quizzed.
He went on to narrate the ordeal of a former member of parliament from his caucus who could not raise GHC12,000 for surgery, leading to the MP’s demise.
“Mr Speaker at the time, Professor Mike Oqauye, as the chairman of the board, pleaded to help a former MP with 12,000 Ghana cedis, and this MP was requesting to do prostrate surgery,” he revealed.
The former minority leader further stated that Professor Oqauye informed him that the MP is a member of his caucus.
“Professor Oquaye turned to me and said that Haruna that is a former member of your caucus, he needs urgent medical attention of 12,000 Ghana Cedis, and Professor Oquaye whispered to me, Minority Leader, find half and I will also provide half,” he narrated on the floor of the House.
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“Mr Speaker before one week this former MP passed on because he couldn’t afford the cost of the surgery.
“Even the medical facility of Parliament should be made open and free to former Members of Parliament,” he added.
This, according to the Tamale South legislator, is because former MPs cannot even acquire quality medical care, stressing that, “beyond ex-gratia you cannot look after your health, you can’t look after your children’s health.”