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{
    "id": 1094362,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1094362/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nairobi CWR, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Esther Passaris",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12475,
        "legal_name": "Esther Passaris",
        "slug": "esther-passaris"
    },
    "content": "I believe that there is a lot more that needs to be done than just having a law. We need to ensure that we are in tune with what is happening in our country in terms of deterring UHC. For UHC to happen, the rich have to pay higher premiums, the majority of Kenyans have to be convinced and have a premium that is affordable so that they can pay. If we have a premium that is not affordable, it will not happen. During this COVID-19 period, many people did not pay their premiums. We, as the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), took a number of cancer survivors who could not pay their premiums and ended up paying for their premiums so that they could remain in the cover. Can you imagine you are a cancer survivor, you have a cover but you cannot afford to pay a premium? When it comes to penalties, you cannot get water from a rock. At the end of the day, the law has to be in tune with the needs of the people. We have to understand where the people are and what their challenges are. There is a pregnant woman who recently came and said she wanted to give birth at Pumwani but she was told she cannot be registered. Surely, the woman is there, she is pregnant, she knows her details, how can you say that because she does not have her Identity Card (ID), she cannot be registered and has to pay for delivery? Somewhere along the line, we need to have the human touch in the services we provide, through legislation. Legislation without a human touch will not help the citizens of this country. I feel that the drafters of the Bill should make sure that every aspect that concerns the citizens of this country, elderly people, People with Disabilities (PWDs) and the youths have to be catered for. When it comes to premiums, we have to understand that certain families cannot afford to pay Kshs500. If they fail to pay and get sick, how can we ensure that they get help? What is the use of putting up all these facilities when people cannot access them? If we do not deal with corruption in these public entities, we will be making laws that will not serve our people. The big elephant in the room that needs to be tackled as we try to deliver universal health care, and implement other Government programmes, is corruption. With those remarks, I support. 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."
}