Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1130667,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1130667/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 281,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "country in general are seeking for a chance where everyone will be included and covered by NHIF. Mr. Speaker, Sir, our Committee listened very carefully to several stakeholders, including the Council of Governors (CoG), the Ministry of Health and private individuals. Most of them were seeking clarification on the issue of the board. Who is going to be in the board? What powers will the board have and how effective will the services be rendered to the people? We spent a lot of time going through the submissions that we received. I am happy to report that some of the areas that we enhanced in the Bill and the amendments that will come during the Committee Stage revolve around accountability. We do not want a situation where the Cabinet Secretary (CS) is the only one who is informed of all the dealings of NHIF. We have now introduced the provision where any audit report, which is carried out, does not end with the CS. It should come to the Floor of this House. Mr. Speaker, Sir, some of the other amendments that we brought, which we will discuss, deal with the application of the Health Act. The NHIF is now going to become a big insurance body to incorporate everyone in this country. We did away with the amendments brought by the National Assembly that wanted people who are employed to be contributing. We know very well that people are suffering to put food on the table. We want them to be considered as vulnerable people and be taken care of. The other issue which I believe Sen. Linturi had concern on was that some people are given healthcare based on their contribution. I want to assure Sen. Linturi that, as a Committee, we considered everyone as uniform. It does not matter how much you contribute. We have different pools. We have people who work with the public sector, with the county governments and private individuals. One of the most important amendments that we brought in is that if you have employed a house-help today, you must provide that house-help with NHIF. If you do not submit the payments on time, you will be responsible to pay for that employee‘s medical expenses. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the work that the Committee did is something that is going to assist this country. For now, when you turn 18 years old, it is mandatory for you to become a member of NHIF. The other issue that was very important is the issue of prevention. We have been investing a lot on curative measures. The Committee now looked at the clauses that promote preventive healthcare. To ensure that all these health services, which will now be accredited---"
}