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"id": 1129297,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1129297/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
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"id": 13119,
"legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
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"content": "One of the major amendments that are done across the board is that instead of the National Hospital Insurance Fund, we call it now the National Health Insurance Fund. Therefore, everywhere we had previously ‘hospital’ it is substituted for ‘health fund.’ We also have the issue of expanded for example definition at Clause 7 for a child, so that it is just not the traditional description of a child as somebody who is maybe over 18 or something like that. It means a child of a contributor including a posthumous child, a step child and adopted child. I find this very progressive because we have seen so many issues that come in terms of coverage and how to define the child. Some of the laws for example for different systems of marriage and, therefore, different systems of children being brought to the fore and the recognition of this. So, to whom does contribution stand in local parents and who have not attained the age of up to 18 years old. Various other definitions are put there, which I think I will not go through. For example, who is a beneficiary, the attainment of age of 21, which is not clear, and also the attainment of 25 years. As long as they are undergoing a full course of education, those can also be covered. Again, people with disability have also been included and the description of the contributor has been put to place. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I just want to go straight away to Clause 8 that deals with the contributions of the fund. When you look at the Mother Act, it is not specific. The Mother Act just said that contributions will be accepted into the Fund. That into the fund all contributions and payments required by the Act shall be paid into the Fund. The amendment adds a specific, broader and targeted funding for the money that will go in into this fund, for example, money appropriated from National Assembly, gifts, grants, national Government et cetera . So, we are broadening the loop of where the money come from, and this is rightly so because if we are talking about funds, especially health funds then this is quite broad and a lot of money is need for that. A lot of money is needed, but more important, the management of those funds in such a way that they can actually be streamlined. I think the centralized health care provider system will be able to do very well. This will be a mechanized process and that will be key. Again, at Clause 8, we have the whole organization there. I just want to highlight one person not being a governor nominated by Council of Governors. This, of course, is a new position that has been created which was not there in the mother Act because to county governments. Very important also is the addition of 1(b) and 1 (c). Sub-clause 1(b) introduces the whole issue of equal opportunity, brings into the fore youth and people with disability who need to be as part of the board. This had been initially left out, and therefore, in even selecting the nine positions that are there, this provision become critical. At Sub-clause 1(c), the Cabinet Secretary and how they will go through the nomination process, but that inclusion is part of the principles of devolution that are coming into fore. At Clause 10, we have the objectives and functions of the board. These have been put into place properly. We have a new terminology of contracting of health care, and empanelment - the panel of those who are going to provide health care services, rather than what had been described in the Act, which was just a declaration of them. There will The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}