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{
    "id": 1147293,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1147293/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 596,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyando, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Jared Okelo",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13457,
        "legal_name": "Jared Odoyo Okelo",
        "slug": "jared-odoyo-okelo-2"
    },
    "content": " I thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I want to take this opportunity, even as I second, to underscore a few points around this Motion that has been advanced by the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities. If there is anything that we have learnt from the coronavirus pandemic, it is that the world is still not safe. The coronavirus has mutated and repositioned itself where it diminishes and recurs without notice. The world is still grappling with this pandemic. As a matter of fact, this Parliament lost Members courtesy of the coronavirus. Therefore, we must create better mitigation measures such as the ones that have been proposed by this Committee. When you walk out here you will not see any ambulance on standby. That does not mean that this House or Parliament cannot go through emergency situations. Therefore, this will go a long way to create an enabling environment for us to tackle issues that may knock on our doors without notice. The health and wellness measures that will be created by the PSC, if this Motion is adopted, will be there to handle these kinds of emergencies that periodically affect Members or members of staff of Parliament. We acknowledge the support offered by PSC in terms of medical where each and every Member is insured. We are eternally grateful for this kind of support, but that would mean that you run to a health institution. That takes me back to what I said about an emergency. There are certain things that can be handled immediately somebody falls ill. No one is immune to issues of sickness and sickness does not provide any notice. So, whereas we appreciate that we get into health institutions or hospitals and we are attended to, we also need to come up with a programme where emergency issues can be adequately handled. When we travel out of this country, courtesy of COVID-19, we pay so much money to hospitals such as the ones that fall under the purview of our scheme but if we had those issues around here, then, firstly, we would save on time - not just time to travel to a health institution but to get our results in good time. This is because some of them would keep you waiting for ages because they have a widespread catchment of clients. So, this is going to save Parliament these monies that are spent but again also address issues of general health and welfare. Some of us now have resorted to going to commercial gyms where we jog and do all kinds of stuff just to keep our health in good shape. The proposal that has been presented by this Committee will be addressing the general health and welfare of Members of this House together with the members of staff who have played a pivotal role towards midwifing…"
}