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{
    "id": 1021657,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1021657/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Igembe South, Independent",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Paul Mwirigi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1574,
        "legal_name": "Cyprian Kubai Iringo",
        "slug": "cyprian-kubai-iringo"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Bill. This is an important Bill as far as the health of our people is concerned. Most of the referrals are made not because the patient cannot be treated in that hospital, but because the facility lacks enough facilities. Most hospitals in this country lack enough infrastructure, personnel and medical units. It is laughable that a Level 4 hospital lacks a male ward. Nyambene Level 4 Hospital in my constituency does not have a male ward and yet, we have both male and female patients in that region. Once this Bill is passed, the Government must fast- track improvement of health infrastructure so that minor cases can be treated locally. Secondly, the Government must come up with a way of helping its citizens because there are those who cannot afford to seek treatment abroad. If we have a good facility in the country, those citizens who cannot afford to seek treatment abroad can get treatment locally. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, some referrals are made for individual gains. There is need for the Ministry of Health to develop a mechanism where they consult the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union and the NHIF to know the credibility of some of those referrals. Some patients are referred by the hospitals so as to get a percentage because the patient will be charged a lot of money, which will be a disadvantage to them. The Ministry of Health should develop a mechanism to ensure that once a referral is made, they consult our embassies in the country a patient is referred to so as to get clear information about the hospital. This will help us know whether the hospital has enough facilities and whether the personnel are qualified to handle the referral. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Government must realize that many qualified doctors are now opening private clinics because of poor pay. The Government should focus on the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}