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{
"id": 1031506,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1031506/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta",
"speaker_title": "His Excellency the President",
"speaker": {
"id": 168,
"legal_name": "Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta",
"slug": "uhuru-kenyatta"
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"content": "Most importantly, the programme sought to enhance liquidity in support of the business sector, particularly micro and small enterprises. Accordingly, we set aside a further Kshs5 billion for the operationalisation of the Credit Guarantee Scheme. The recovery programme also targets to revamp a broad spectrum of economic sectors by hiring 5,000 health workers and 11,000 interns; even as it supports our teachers as they continue to enhance the delivery of knowledge to our children. It further seeks to create 100,000 job opportunities for the youth, besides implementing a subsidised farm input scheme for vulnerable households. Part of the resource allocated will be utilised on the ongoing fabrication of 250,000 school desks crafted by local artisans. Hon. Speaker, despite the very difficult times that we have faced as a nation, our people have remained resilient. In the face of tremendous economic challenges and the health crisis we are facing, the majority of us have truly been our brother’s keeper. Not only have we stood with our family members and friends going through hard times, we have also acted responsibly by following the laid-down public health directives. Fellow Kenyans, we are not yet out of the woods and so, I urge all Kenyans to keep doing that which is honourable and right. As a nation, we will overcome and thereafter soar to even greater heights. Hon. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the urgent need for us to upscale our implementation of the Universal Health Coverage Pillar of the Big Four Agenda, which pillar seeks to eradicate the “poverty of dignity” and transition our nation into an era where no Kenyan should be forced to sell their land in order to settle their medical bills, or be forced to make a choice between buying the much needed medicine and using the money to feed their children, an impossible choice. Last year, I informed Parliament that the national Government, in partnership with the county governments, was piloting the Universal Health Care Programme in the counties of Nyeri, Machakos, Kisumu and Isiolo, in preparation for a roll out nationwide. I am pleased to report to you that the pilot programme for Universal Health Care was successfully implemented and, out of it, we have isolated critical learning points that have informed enhancements to my administration’s health policy priorities, going forward. As we itch closer to the national roll out of the Universal Health Coverage, a fortnight ago in Mombasa, I launched the biometric registration for the Universal Health Coverage Scheme. Similarly, my administration is instituting far-reaching reforms of NHIF as it perfects the medical insurance scheme. Hon. Speaker, it is notable too that there has been phenomenal increase in mental illness across the country and around the world, which has caused serious national distress and anguish in our families. As a caring Government, I have established an office in the Ministry of Health, with the full responsibility of spearheading our national response to this latest disruption to our social order and our nation’s wellness. To institutionalise this seminal initiative, I have issued an Executive Order establishing an ultra-modern national mental health hospital by elevating Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital as a semi-autonomous specialised hospital and I shall be looking to this House to support in the funding of this facility. The East Africa’s premier mental health facility will now offer training and research in psychiatry, specialised psychiatric services, forensic psychiatric services, child and adolescent mental services and substance abuse related and addictive disorders treatment and rehabilitation services. Challenges to our public health, notwithstanding, I am confident that in partnership with 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."
}