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{
    "id": 1143145,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1143145/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 377,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Lang’ata, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Nixon Korir",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13404,
        "legal_name": "Generali Nixon Kiprotich Korir",
        "slug": "generali-nixon-kiprotich-korir"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. First, I want to thank Hon. Owino for bringing this Bill. These are the kind of Bills we should be giving priority in this House. The welfare of community health workers has been ignored for a very long time yet they play a big role in our society in terms of bridging the gap between the community and health facilities. They also play a role in prevention and cure. In Nairobi, we especially interact with many community health workers who are working in the informal sector. They deal with those who are chronically ill in the community. They ensure those who have HIV get their anti-retroviral drugs. They play an integral role in our health sector, and I think this Bill has come at the right time although, it is a bit late. Just like my colleagues have said, there is no sector in this country where people work without being recognised by the Government, and remunerated for work done. Health workers have really suffered at the hands of county governments, and we must say it as it is. They also lack training. Diseases evolve and mutate thus different training is needed to handle different diseases. The case in point is COVID-19. These health workers have been volunteering in the community despite lack of equipment, facilities and facilitation. They have been volunteering. They deserve a proper thumbs up by ensuring that they are recognised, registered, trained and have a representation in terms of a council that can represent them when they have issues. They should have proper recognition in law. When you go to our ghettos, they are the first reference. Most people do not even know where the health facilities are. The first person they call is a community health worker. They go there without asking for any money. It is only proper that we support this Bill, so that we can, once and for all, deal with this issue and recognise our community health workers who are many. They need proper training, licensing and clearly indicating their roles in whatever they do, so that they cannot be misused and abused. They were referred to as volunteers for a very long time. I am happy because they are referred to as community health workers now but not community health volunteers. So many people volunteer in different sectors but this is a very big sector. Many Kenyans have sold property or all they had to cure their family members. Many Kenyans die of curable diseases because the sector is not properly aligned and supported. The first support that we need to give is the community health workers."
}