Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has expressed concerns over media reportage on his proposal for a parliamentary hospital and a new chamber.
The Effutu Member of Parliament claimed the media has filed misleading reports on the matter, which he lamented has created gross misconceptions.
In a statement, the law maker said that “the discussion was centered on broader institutional needs, yet selective reporting has misrepresented the intent behind my remarks. For clarity, my remarks were in response to issues first raised by The Speaker, and were only re-echoing the vision of The Speaker for Parliament”.
Afenyo-Markin indicated that his call was a standard practice across several other democracies and Ghana would not be an exception.
“Parliament, as an arm of Government, operates under intense schedules, and its members, staff, and security personnel often require urgent, specialised and private medical attention while on duty. Establishing a well-equipped medical facility within Parliament is a standard practice in many democratic nations, ensuring that those who serve the country can access prompt, confidential, and cost-effective healthcare when needed.”
He also noted that his called for a new chamber was proposed following concerns raised about the insecurity of MPs.
“The Speaker bemoaned the state of insecurity in Parliament, highlighting the vulnerability of MPs and Parliamentary Service staff to potential threats. In response, I suggested that if enhancing security within the current chamber is not feasible, we may have to consider a new chamber with the necessary security features to ensure a safer working environment.”
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I have noted the concerns raised regarding my comments on security and healthcare in Parliament during the inauguration of the 9th Parliamentary Service Board.
Unfortunately, much of the media coverage on my comments has been misleading, creating gross misconceptions about my position. The discussion was centered on broader institutional needs, yet selective reporting has misrepresented the intent behind my remarks. For clarity, my remarks were in response to issues first raised by The Speaker, and were only re-echoing the vision of The Speaker for Parliament.
The Speaker bemoaned the state of insecurity in Parliament, highlighting the vulnerability of MPs and Parliamentary Service staff to potential threats. In response, I suggested that if enhancing security within the current chamber is not feasible, we may have to consider a new chamber with the necessary security features to ensure a safer working environment.
On healthcare, the Speaker also raised concerns about medical care for MPs and Parliamentary Service staff. While Parliament currently has a clinic, I suggested that it could be upgraded into a Parliamentary Hospital—similar to the 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital, Bank of Ghana Hospital, Cocoa Clinic and SSNIT Hospital. Such a facility would not only serve MPs and Parliamentary staff but also retired officers, retired MPs, and, where applicable, the general public. Although these hospitals by some State Agencies are dedicated to their staff, they are equally open to the general public.
Parliament, as an arm of Government, operates under intense schedules, and its members, staff, and security personnel often require urgent, specialised and private medical attention while on duty. Establishing a well-equipped medical facility within Parliament is a standard practice in many democratic nations, ensuring that those who serve the country can access prompt, confidential, and cost-effective healthcare when needed.
I also raised the issue of confidentiality—where, oftentimes, Parliamentary Service staff, former MPs, and current MPs are unable to patronise other public health facilities due to the confidential and sensitive nature of their health concerns.
This proposal should, therefore, not be misinterpreted as a call for special privileges, but rather as a functional necessity, just as other critical institutions—such as the military, police SSNIT, COCOBOD and Bank of Ghana—have their own dedicated medical facilities.
That said, I welcome further engagements on the matter.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
