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{
    "id": 1092192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1092192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 237,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suba North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "The amendment in Clause 17(3) that deletes areas covered by the NHIF is not good. If you look at the current Act, it states that the areas that are currently covered include drugs, laboratory tests, diagnostic services, surgical, dental, medical procedures, equipment, physiotherapy care, doctors’ fees and boarding costs. The Bill proposes to give that mandate to the Cabinet Secretary to make regulations on what areas to cover. We are putting our faith in the wrong place. The reason I say so is that the Cabinet Secretary may as well widen the area of coverage. At the same time, the Cabinet Secretary may reduce the area of coverage. So, when we leave it to the whims of an individual that is a challenge. I would have preferred a situation where we look at areas that are probably not currently covered like maternity care, so that we include more people. We tend to make reproductive health, especially as it relates to women, a punishment. Giving birth should not in itself be a punishment. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the other area of concern to me in Clause 17 that seeks to delete Section 22 of the principal Act. I am just trying to get to Section 22. Section 22(2) states that subject to such limitations as may be imposed under sub-section 3, the medical healthcare expenses referred to in sub-section (1) shall cover both inpatient…” Sorry, that is one of the issues that I have already spoken to. Otherwise, I support the Bill. We must take care of people who are struggling, especially in these difficult times. There are many who are dying because they cannot access healthcare. Beyond that, I wish that what we have provided in this Bill is creating awareness of the NHIF. Many people still do not know about the NHIF, especially in the rural areas. We give that mandate to the Ministry of Health, not Members of Parliament. We are making Members of Parliament a government in themselves, but without money. We are taking care of the NHIF, we are a social safety net, and we are all manner of things. Members of Parliament handle funerals, healthcare and even things which county governments are supposed to, but without the requisite money. Our National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) only deals with brick and mortar issues. With those few remarks, I support the Bill, but with proposed amendments."
}