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{
    "id": 1083962,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1083962/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wako",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 366,
        "legal_name": "Amos Sitswila Wako",
        "slug": "amos-wako"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to speak on this very important subject. I sincerely congratulate Sen. Khaniri for having made this Statement on a matter national concern, and from time to time, drawing our attention to matters of national concern. One, we are aware that the health function is devolved. As I congratulate the Government led by the President on the steps they have taken to deal with COVID-19 pandemic, to the extent where although we are concerned when we hear about what is going on in other countries, we are slightly better off than those other countries that did not take appropriate action in time. Let us all the time remember that health is a devolved function and the Senate is here for counties. I am not so sure that we have put mechanisms in place to monitor on a regular basis the preparedness of county governments to deal with this pandemic. I believe that if I had caught COVID-19 at home, I would not be here standing and talking in this House. This is because I would have gone to the county referral hospital. Although they say that they have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the four beds are not operational. Nothing is operational because the connections have not been done. There is lack of oxygen and everything, and I would have died. I am sure the way I see things, most of the county referral hospitals are in a similar situation. The other day there was a demonstration in Busia County against the referral hospital. The Chief Officer even admitted that they had no money to buy food for the patients. I have seen similar demonstrations in Kajiado and elsewhere. As the Senate, we must put in place mechanisms to see why the situation is like that. Part of it could be that cash disbursements to counties are not being sent on time. We should be able to tackle that, so that the national Government gives counties money in time. Unless they do so, we will face a worse problem, particularly those of us who come from the COVID-19 pandemic hot zones. Speaking on figures - which the Senator of Homa Bay was speaking on - we must have accurate figures. The other day, the father to my personal assistant at home was hospitalized in Busia. His condition was COVID-19 and got worse. He went to another hospital in Busia and it still got worse. He went to the best hospital in Busia and it still got worse. Fortunately, he was admitted at Bungoma County Referral Hospital where after one month, he has now been cured. He did a survey in the village and 70 people were tested for COVID-19. Out of them, 38 were found to have COVID-19. They did not know it, but they were just"
}