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{
    "id": 1338184,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1338184/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 261,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kathiani, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Mbui",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this chance. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Kenya has been grappling with the issue of universal healthcare since its Independence 60 years ago. Our founding fathers talked about eradicating poverty, ignorance, and disease. Many years later, we still have rampant poverty, ignorance and diseases that are still ravaging our country. With this Bill, we will almost get there. I was initially concerned because I thought that the Bill dealt with the issue of people paying monies to health centres, which would retain the funds. However, when I read it more clearly, I realised that Clause 6 recognises that reimbursements may also come through insurance, which is where we are headed because of the Social Health Insurance Fund. In future, we should not carry money to health centres. It is also good to note that the health function is devolved. Since 2013, the health function has been in the hands of governors and county governments. However, not all governors and counties have prioritised healthcare. That is why if you scrutinise the budgets of counties, you will be surprised by the amount of money that is allocated to health compared to other activities. Some counties even put infrastructure ahead of healthcare, which is unfortunate. The idea of devolution was to take services closer to the people. The service they most require is to be healthy, work and earn an income. As a result of the lack of serious dedication by some counties, you will find that healthcare in those counties is in a deplorable state. Some Members have said that there are no medicines, bandages, gloves, or X-ray machines when they go to health centres. They find that no equipment is working. Further to that, the grounds in some of our healthcare facilities are unkempt. Some of them are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests. Waste is poorly managed. Maternity centres should have proper incinerators. Some cannot properly dispose of their waste, which becomes a health hazard. I am aware of some health centres where electricity bills have piled up such that Kenya Power has to disconnect them. Other facilities have accumulated water bills to such a level that they cannot be managed, and they are being disconnected. It is very unfortunate. This Bill will solve the basic problems that are faced by our healthcare providers. Clause 5 authorises health facilities to collect money and retain it. Clause 21 proposes that the authority to incur expenditure (AIE) be vested in the management teams in those The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}