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{
    "id": 1083452,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1083452/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 157,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Cherangany, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Joshua Kutuny",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 61,
        "legal_name": "Joshua Serem Kutuny",
        "slug": "joshua-kutuny"
    },
    "content": "Bill sponsored by one, Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose be withdrawn to allow for consultations aimed at developing a comprehensive Bill to regulate food and drugs. It is on this basis that the Committee deemed it fit to convene a meeting between two ministries; the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture together with the sponsor of the Bill Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose. In the meeting that was held on Thursday, 27th August 2019, it was resolved that the Executive works with Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose to harmonise many issues in the Bill and present a unified Bill within 90 days. During the meeting that was hosted by the then Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Aden Duale, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries reported that they had already formed a taskforce that had come up with a draft Bill due for fine-tuning before presentation to the Cabinet. Hon. Speaker, arising from the aforementioned meeting, the Departmental Committee wrote to your office on two occasions – on 20th June 2019 and 2nd August 2019 – seeking extension of time by 120 days to consider the Bill. The Committee acknowledges the critical nature of this Bill as it speaks to the quality and safety of food from the farm to the table as well as safety of medicine and health products imported or manufactured in the country, among other provisions. The Second Schedule to the Standing Orders provides that the mandate of the Departmental Committee on Health is in regard to matters related to health, medical care and health insurance. To this end, the Departmental Committee on Health has the mandate of considering the aspects of the Bill providing for regulation of drugs, chemical substances and medical devices. On the other hand, the mandate of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock is in regard to matters related to agriculture, livestock and irrigation; and fisheries development, production and marketing. The Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock therefore has the mandate of considering the aspects of the Bill providing for the regulation of food. Further, the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has the mandate of overseeing the aspect of the Bill related to consumer protection and industrialisation. The Committee has on several occasions engaged the Ministry of Health to update the Committee on the status of the harmonisation of the Bill. I am glad to inform the sponsor of the Bill, Hon. (Dr.) Pukose, and the House, that the Ministry of Health has finalised the harmonisation of the Bill. Therefore, the Committee has invited the Ministry of Health to a final meeting on Thursday, 8th July 2021 to make a presentation on the harmonised Bill. That is next week. As noted above, the Bill seeks to legislate on matters related to mandates of the Departmental Committee on Health, the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock; and the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Therefore, there is need for your guidance on how the Committee shall proceed to consider the harmonised draft Bill. The Committee is scheduled to consider the draft harmonised Bill meant to enrich the current Food and Drug Authority Bill, 2019, sponsored by Hon. Robert Pukose, during the next two weeks and file a report for consideration by this House on or before 15th July 2021. Finally, the Committee lauds the Mover of the Bill for his patience by allowing the Executive to harmonise the outstanding issues in the Bill. We acknowledge that this has taken unduly long but the result and product will be a more effective legislation. Regarding progress report on business pending before the Committee, I wish to report that the Committee is in the final stages of consideration of three critical Bills and shall be tabling its report next week. The first one is the National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2021); the second one is the Health Laws (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No.2 of 2021) and the third one is the Radiographers Bill (National Assembly Bill No.21 of 2021). There is also the Community Health Workers Service Bill of 2020. 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."
}