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{
    "id": 1021603,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1021603/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 179,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Amos Kimunya",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": "knew they were going there. But because they went for medical purposes, perhaps, the funds got exhausted and now the embassy is being told to help evacuate that person. Now, this will be done upfront so that the embassy knows that all precautions have been taken before the person travels. Like I said, what touches me, even as we are discussing this issue of referrals outside the country, is that we need that introspection within ourselves. Why do we not concentrate on providing the capacity in Kenya? What is it that is out there that we cannot do here in Kenya? What equipment is available out there that we cannot provide within Kenya? What medical personnel are out there that cannot be provided? I have looked at the health care system in this country and I know we have the capacity. I have also been a user of services in this country and I know that even for some very complicated surgeries, their capacity is here. But our first place of call is to go abroad. You may recall, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, His Excellency former President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, after his accident - I know we were in Government together - some Members had suggested that he should go for follow up in London where he had been treated earlier and he said “but we have capacity in this country”. He ended up going to a hospital within Nairobi for further treatment. I believe that is the kind of thing that we need to see. The leadership and the tone has been set at that level and hence, if we concentrated with more commitment and faith in our systems, we can achieve this so that we will only be referring what is not possible or we will just be talking of internal referrals from one level system to the other. So, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I believe this is timely and we should give it our support. I do not want to take all the time that I have because it is a straightforward matter. The earlier we can fast-track this, then we get to harmonise the regulations to accord with the new Section 79, the better for the health care of this country. I know the Departmental Committee on Health has looked at it. They have been in support and hence, Members, I would like to ask each one of us to support the Bill and, at least, set the pace for modernising our health care system in order to be a net exporter of medical services as other countries have done. If we have done M- Pesa and all the big things we have done, there is no reason why we cannot be the first point of call for anyone in Africa or anyone within the region wanting to get quality health care. We can do it and we should do it. I thank you. I beg to support."
}