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{
    "id": 1237904,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1237904/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 221,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kigumo, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Joseph Munyoro",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to oppose the Amendment Bill. From where we sit, we know that health is a critical area in this country. While it was devolved with very good intentions, we have had very many problems in our hospitals. The amendment seeks to add another bureaucratic desk, which may not augur well given that the Bill of Rights guarantees the right to life under our Constitution. As a human being, when you have a problem, you tend to think that it can be handled in a certain jurisdiction. I think that is an area that should be left to an individual to decide. While we might agree that controlling or having the referral system in the country is ideal, we also know how under-funded and poor we are in stocking medicine and having the right expertise in our health facilities. I come from an area where we have a lot of chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. While a lot goes into trying to control the same, we have realised that, sometimes, the capacity in that hospital is not enough. Therefore, those who are suffering should be at liberty to decide whether they need to be in that dispensary, or go elsewhere where they can get better attention. We know that the training of our nurses is top notch. That is because every time they go abroad, those countries absorb them. We have a lot of brain drain because we have not been very good at managing our human resource capacity. Therefore, issues of referrals should come after facilities have been looked into. If we are able to equip our health facilities with good and enough facilities; which include the doctors, nurses and equipment, then we can start creating laws. We can then decide that if you cannot be treated in a certain facility, then you can be referred to another facility. But while we are still struggling with all manner of issues in our hospitals, creating a bureaucracy to stop people from seeking further attention elsewhere is just worsening a problem that is already there. In my opinion, we should let people, especially those going outside the country, to decide where they want to be treated. If they are capable and feel they are not getting the attention they need in this country, then they should go without having to refer to anyone. Creating a desk might be introducing a further place for people to seek rent. Finally, I have heard that the Member has not been consulted. I have sat in committees here, and anytime you are looking at an issue that has been raised by a Member, we normally invite them to present. This is necessary so that they can explain and justify where they are coming from. I think it is a bit unfair that Hon. Didmus Barasa was not invited by the Departmental Committee on Health to give his views or explain. It is an issue that needs to be looked into by the Speaker. I oppose the amendment. I also wish Hon. Didmus Barasa well as he continues to explore this area of health. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}