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{
    "id": 1023185,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1023185/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 424,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kesses, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Swarup Mishra",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13286,
        "legal_name": "Swarup Ranjan Mishra",
        "slug": "swarup-ranjan-mishra"
    },
    "content": "Kshs10 billion every year. The age disparity varies from three weeks to 84 years old people, and females are slightly dominating as far as gender is concerned. The most preferred destination for Kenya is India at 96 per cent and 4 per cent in the rest of the world with private facility referrals at 81 per cent and public sector referral at 19 per cent. The disciplines under which we referred from Kenya are: Oncology37 per cent, Renal 21 per cent, Cardiology and Heart, 19 per cent, Elective Surgical Procedures and others 23 percent. The indications which medical referral usually happen both domestic and international is surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology with comprehensive cancer care, cardiac surgery, both paediatric and adult, open heart surgery, transplant surgery, that is kidney, liver, cornea, heart, advanced neuro and spine surgery and the advanced reference medical laboratory facilities. We are still sending so many body fluids outside the country and continent. The disadvantages of cross border and international referrals include repetition of workable diagnostics, logistic challenges with the international travel for sick persons, lack of proper knowledge and information about the credibility of the treating doctors, facilities and personnel, middlemen, conmen misguidance and vested interests that impact negatively on the patients, lack of emotional and moral support from the family and relatives, poor statement because of miscommunication or no communication between both ends, post procedural complications on arrival if not well managed, fraudulent practices when people present themselves falsely as the patients at the expense of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), ministries and parastatals of the Government of Kenya. The advantages of emerging hired medical practice to prevent cross border or international referrals are as follows.Kenya is emerging as a global medical tourism destination and as the leader in Africa. Major resource and revenue quantity sources can be utilised to develop health infrastructure, health education, skills and manufacturing of health products, drugs, equipment and furniture. The multinationals will be attracted to choose Kenya as their headquarters for their continental offices and operations. Kenya will contribute substantial input in the field of medical research. It will ensure reduction in cross border brain drain rather than brain gain, for both nationals and international personalities. On the pandemic effect on medical tourism, it is highly discouraging that medical tourism and referrals will be limited and discouraged because of the following reasons: (a) Very little is known about referral destined countries as far as the pandemic is concerned. (b) Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) managing the virus in respective countries might not be similar to another country. (c) Temporary frequent and cross border international travel particularly to the health facility with the front runner health personality is extremely dangerous. (d) There might be reluctance, delay and very many obstacles because of technical and bureaucratic perspectives of the pandemic. The protocols and the SOPs to control medical referrals without abuse. Through this Bill, the Ministry of Health (MOH) shall have a SOP and protocol for medical referrals. There should be proper indication for patients who could be referred on the basis of non-availability of infrastructure, skills, equipment and facilities. There should be proper vetting and selection criteria by MOH in conjunction with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board (KMPDB) and the NHIF to establish the integrity and credibility with international accredited health facilities and doctors where the patients are being referred with the help of bilateral diplomatic missions. All 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."
}