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{
    "id": 1023198,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1023198/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 437,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kiminini, FORD-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Chris Wamalwa",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "I rise to support the need to develop a policy guideline in terms of referral cases. Many a times, the many conditions referred to India like heart surgery and matters oncology can be handled locally. If there is a policy guideline, it will guide. This is because in any case, if a matter can be handled here, there is no point of going to India, Israel or Germany. Kenya has invested heavily on the infrastructure as far as the health system is concerned. At times, the costs incurred are too high when you put together the air ticket and accommodation. Overall, it becomes more expensive than being treated locally. When it comes to management of oncological matters of cancer, it has stages one, two, three and four. When a cancer matter has reached advanced stages like stage four, there is no need for referral. But you find referrals because of ignorance around this and unscrupulous middle people who want to make money. I have been to India on matters of health care check-ups. It is more costly there than being handled here competitively. Many a times, when patients go aboard, even the local missions in that foreign country are not aware. If in one way or another, by bad luck the person passes away, that becomes a very difficult burden for the family and a lot of stress on how to bring the body back. This is because we have unscrupulous business people in this country who are colluding with some hospitals abroad in a fraudulent manner. It is important as we make a policy guideline to involve key stakeholders like the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) on matters like oncology, cardiological matters like heart surgery or gynaecological cases. Maybe, we should have the input of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society because many people are being referred out of ignorance. I have had opportunities to attend Harambee of patients going abroad, but ignorantly, because they are being blackmailed or confused by the middlemen. Only later on after consultations, they find such a matter can be done in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) or Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) or some private hospitals like Mediheal Hospital. I have been to Mediheal hospital and patients from my county go there. In the long run, they decide to go abroad, but after seeking a second opinion, they realize that in this country, we have local investors who have brought those machines here. So, they can be treated here with their family without incurring the air costs."
}