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{
    "id": 1062878,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1062878/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 528,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nambale, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Sakwa Bunyasi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2511,
        "legal_name": "John Sakwa Bunyasi",
        "slug": "john-sakwa-bunyasi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Let me also weigh in on this critical discussion. I support the spirit of taking a recess. I had hoped that the new ones that had been introduced by the Member for Rarieda would have been helpful. Be it as it may, I support the Motion. There are a number of key issues that we should use this opportunity to highlight. First, let me thank you for protecting the autonomy of Parliament. We cannot overstate that. It is very important because its implications would have been grave if that had not been done. Secondly, COVID-19 is with us. The vaccine is with us, but there are issues. We need a clearer presentation of how the vaccine and its faradisation are going to run. This cannot be a matter that is done in a command-type economy where somebody announces and that is it. The Minister for Health should demonstrate that he is listening to the concerns of the country. The way how this is going to be done should be clarified. Who are the priorities? Parliamentarians are having vaccination - not free - but at the cost of our employer. What about the other citizens? We have not seen anything except for some of the stimulus packages that were done to support employers. We now need stimulus packages that target consumers, including “Wanjiku”, the elderly and other select groups. We should put money into the pockets of those groups to enable them access basic needs. That money should not be termed “wasted.” From an economic perspective, it can bounce back through payment of taxes. It will improve consumption and you can get consumption taxes. That way, you will save lives at the level of the household. It is extremely important. The third point that I want to raise is simply to emphasize and agree with my colleagues that really, the vaccine should be free. There is an economic argument for free vaccines. That way, it will reach more people; it will slow down the disease; it will slow down the pressure in health facilities for which the Government is paying. The savings that occur by virtue of less pressure, less costs on healthcare system will far outweigh the cost of the vaccine. Four, I think we should liberalize the vaccine market. We are working with Astra Zeneca and we understand global arrangements and the way they occur. We are tied to it by the way of our history and the way we transact, but let us open our eyes to the Russians and the Chinese. Let our bodies that do the approvals work on this and come and have a diversified source of vaccines. I read the other day that in India, which was our major supplier, has had a big wave and they are going to restrict exports of vaccines. America did that. Others did that. Let us diversify the sources of our vaccines. Let our scientific community come to the forefront and not simply ape and repeat what others have said elsewhere. Let them do their own tests that they want to do here, their own follow up and so on. Let us be a bit more entrepreneurial. There was a time when I listened to the coordinator of the COVID-19 vaccine taskforce. He made a statement that “we are not in a hurry. 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."
}