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{
    "id": 1237857,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1237857/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kipipiri, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Wanjiku Muhia",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Let me give an example relating to costs even if that is not what we are debating. We cannot avoid it. Let us consider a case where a patient in Ol Kalou could have been referred to JM Hospital in Ol Kalou but is referred to MP Shah Hospital, where the consultation fee is very high yet the patient comes from a poor background and cannot afford even half of the amount. These are the regulations the drafter means. Again, if the Cabinet Secretary makes these guidelines, they must come to the House. When they do, we shall refine them during Departmental Committee consideration. We shall make them what we want them to be. In another event, I happened to be in India, where I found stranded Kenyans. It is because they were being referred to India for medical treatment and the cost of the invoices they were given back in Kenya were not beyond Ksh200,000. Those Kenyans were stranded there with bills of close to Ksh6,000,000. The ambassador there was holding meetings every morning with the hospitals’ management in a bid to have the patients released. I do not see any problem when these regulations task our embassies to take care of patients who plan to travel overseas for medical treatment. Any regulation is free at will. If I can afford to go to India or abroad for medical treatment, I do not have to pass through the embassy if I do not wish to. Overall, it should be indicated in black and white that it is the mandate of the embassy to take care of those who seek information. Over and above, we should not kill this Amendment Bill here. Let us analyse and enrich it, only for the benefit of Wanjiku. With that, I oppose the Report of the Committee. I support this amendment. I hope Hon. Members will make even more fundamental amendments during the Third Reading. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}