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{
    "id": 12877,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/12877/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 433,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mbau",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 182,
        "legal_name": "Elias Peter Mbau",
        "slug": "elias-mbau"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me a chance to contribute to this very noble Motion. First, I want to express my gratitude to the Mover, Mr. James Maina Kamau for putting his critical thoughts to this devastating condition that is afflicting thousands of Kenyans. I also appreciate the fact that of late we have had quite a number of high profile personalities in this country who have succumbed to cancer even with all the resources that they can marshal. This has gone to prove and inform all Kenyans that cancer is a disease that is non-preventable and is also non-communicable. Therefore, it behooves the Government to be a little more alert like it has chosen to be alert on a few other selected conditions, so that we do not continue to lose Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Mover of the Motion does note that currently there is no existing policy on the manner in which conditions and treatment of cancer can be managed across the country. This is happening many years after Independence and after thousands of Kenyans have died. He also noted that we do not even have a Government strategy put in place to be able to put up a semblance of care on this pandemic which continues to kill many people in the villages, cities and other urban centres. It is also worth noting that the costs of treating cancer are prohibitive to majority of Kenyans, not to mention the fact that by the time it is diagnosed, it is always beyond treatment. So, this Motion seeks to ensure that cancer treatment becomes free in Kenya. I listened to some hon. Members who put it correctly that, probably, because of prohibitive facilities, equipment and machines we may be called upon to forestall this situation. As a Government and as a Ministry of Medical Services, headed by Prof. Peter Anyang’- Nyong’o who had fallen victim to this condition and who has professed and confessed to wanting to put up his best foot forward on this particular disease, I think it is only fair that we demand that the Government considers this as one of those disasters that are currently affecting Kenyans. I must put it to this House that cancer has of late become a lifestyle disease."
}