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{
    "id": 1286134,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1286134/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 339,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Lomenen",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2940,
        "legal_name": "James Lomenen Ekomwa",
        "slug": "james-lomenen-ekomwa"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have looked at this keenly. If you compare a community health worker in a health centre or a dispensary with a police constable, if a police constable fails to get his dues or remuneration or salary on time, he might decide to stop giving the services he is offering to the citizens. However, if the same thing happens to community health workers who work every day for 24 hours just the way the National Police Reservist (NPR) works in providing security to the villagers, what will happen to them? So, we have to motivate these community health workers wherever they are because they are human beings. They need to support their families, and themselves and face other challenges that they encounter. Therefore, when we devolve these funds, we are sure that the services will be closer to the people and the citizens at the grassroots, and health centres and dispensaries will be served adequately and timely instead of waiting for services from the highest institutions or hospitals. The other important thing is, that here in Lodwar, we have one referral hospital. If somebody gets a serious illness, that patient will need to be referred to Eldoret Referral Hospital; not even Kitale. The distance covered from Lodwar to Eldoret is more than 400 kilometres. It is rare for people here to go to Eldoret Referral Hospital; only a few do. However, most of those who do, lose their lives on the way. So, it is important to reduce the distances covered by the patient being referred to a far hospital or the so-called big hospitals. It is good if the funds are there. Let these funds be accessed locally. We do not know when one will fall sick irrespective of their status. The principle of sickness is that it does not respect status. When you become sick, one thing that you require in a reflex action is treatment. The second thing is, where will you be treated? So, our wish and prayer is that when you become sick, you will need services closer to you so that you can be treated. Nonetheless, when the services are too far, the drugs and means or logistics are far, you cannot be assisted. So, we have to be pragmatic when we say devolution is bringing services closer to the people."
}