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{
    "id": 1294438,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1294438/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 242,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kisang",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2263,
        "legal_name": "William Kipkemoi Kisang",
        "slug": "william-kipkemoi-kisang"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this Digital Health Bill. Kenya is way ahead in terms of technology. It is only that the medical field looks like it is still behind in embracing technology. However, when it comes to research, they are ahead. I am happy that this particular Bill has come to the House especially, when we are going to have a National Health Information System that will be used by our doctors across the country to share information to save lives. Madam Temporary Speaker, in the morning and even this afternoon, some Members have said that in case anybody is involved in an emergency and they require help, you do not need those small cards in your pocket to show what you are suffering from. The doctor should be able to see what you have been ailing from by just keying your identification number into the system and give you the right treatment. One of the issues that I believe this Bill will help is cost. Sometimes, you can go from one doctor to another and be asked the same questions. You will be told to take X- rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by all of them, instead of them sharing what had already taken earlier by a different facility. This, basically, will reduce the cost of consultation and unnecessary tests. Madam Temporary Speaker, if you check, I know Members have raised this issue of data security. I remember, in 2019, we passed a law on data protection. Already, we have a Data Commission in place. I am happy that among the Board members of this particular agency, is the Data Commissioner. He or she will, basically, bring on board issues such as data privacy, protection, control and processors to ensure our patients are better secured. The Data Commissioner will also place very serious penalties in place in case there is a breach of data. This is a good Bill. I know people might lose jobs but it will also create opportunities. This is a new entity that will create employment for people, especially, those who have knowledge in ICT. It means there will be a lot of ICT capacity building even for our medical personnel. Madam Temporary Speaker, I wish to support this Bill and urge Members that as it has been said, we can come back and check for weaknesses within six or seven months. If there are issues that we need to amend, maybe issues in terms of cyber security protection and others, we can bring amendments then. For now, let us allow the Bill to go on so that our people can enjoy, embrace this law and benefit from it. When we were in Turkana two weeks ago for Senate Mashinani, we visited Turkana County Referral Hospital. The doctor told us that he is really getting a lot of help from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). This is because, they installed a medical system about six months ago and they are able to consult the experts in MTRH. The people of Turkana are benefiting from the expertise as far as Eldoret and KNH. So, this is long overdue. I support it."
}