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{
    "id": 1139237,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1139237/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 139,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 43(1)(a) states this as follows- “Every person has the right- (a) to the highest standard of health which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care.” When we are talking of the highest standard of attainable health, we are looking at drugs. There are many patients whose situation is dire simply because they go to hospitals and there are no drugs. I am looking at the common man. I am not looking at the Kenyan who can afford drugs or money to go to India, Europe and other places for treatment. I am looking at the Kenyan masses, the individuals who really require the drugs, but they cannot afford them. The Government should just allow that competition. It is healthy because if there are many players in the field that are supplying drugs, then they will compete to ensure that there are able to meet the supply and demand of drugs. At the moment, KEMSA is not able to meet the demands of supplying drugs to the entire nation. This is not a mean amendment, but one that is very crucial. The issue of getting permission from KEMSA to procure drugs elsewhere is already a loophole that will lead to corruption. If you are to ask for permission in order or procure drugs, then even the KEMSA bosses will be corruptible. Somebody will go there with the intention of supplying drugs and will corrupt somebody in order to be given the letter to procure. I suggest and hope that my fellow Senators will support this Bill by Sen. Shiyonga. The amendment is important and will help quite a number of Kenyans. If we do not do that, drugs will not reach county governments. As a Senate, we must ensure that we protect county governments. In so doing, we may protect the lives and health of Kenyans. There are millions of Kenyans in the counties. We must ensure that they are protected and that drugs are procured by anyone. For example, maybe KEMSA can just come in to ensure the right quality. If it comes in as a body that will ensure quality is not compromised, then that is okay. If it is coming in as a body that must obligatorily supply the drugs, then that is not really in good faith. Even, in business we must allow healthy competition and allow people to come up with"
}