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{
    "id": 1338234,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1338234/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 311,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marsabit County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "We are all aware that our people have always had challenges in taking care of themselves and their health. Many people have even been forced to travel out of the country for health-related problems. But even within our country – especially in some counties like Marsabit – people have suffered and faced a lot of challenges. In such counties, people travel for over 300 kilometres to find a health facility. The worst part is that even after walking all that distance, patients get to a health centre and realise that they cannot be helped because there are not enough or qualified personnel. Additionally, the health centres do not even have medicine. The best they can tell patients is to go and buy medicine from a chemist. It is in the public domain that Members have incurred a lot of expenses by assisting patients with terminal illnesses. Patients call Members for help because, even after selling all their property and the entire family has lost all that they own due to health expenses, the bills are still high. I take this opportunity to thank missionaries and faith-based organisations who have, in the past, helped the people of this country by building and managing health facilities. Were it not for them, I am sure many of us would not be here. It is through that support that Kenyans have had access to medical care in the villages. Today, as I stand here, I thank God and our Government. This is because our President is very focused on taking care of the health of our people and making sure that the situation shall not be the same again for every Kenyan. In this Government, Kenyans will no longer face challenges with the bills they incur or travel long distances just to find a health centre where they can get treatment. I support this Bill because it will stimulate increased revenue collection at village level. Villages will collect their own revenue and manage it. We will all be given equal opportunity. For the first time, we are talking about all Kenyans and every part of this country. If there is any Bill that needs our support, then it is this one. This Bill will ensure there is equality and balance in every part of this country. I also support this Bill because it provides financial management and the autonomy that every health facility needs. There will also be accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. What encourages me even more is that we will have quality health centres. Hon. Temporary Speaker, we all need to support this Bill and encourage our young people to go for training. When that time comes, we will employ the local people. It will be hard for any person to be treated, if you do not understand the local language. I encourage our young people who have finished school, instead of sitting at home, to please make sure that they go for training and be equipped, so that these facilities will have the right people to serve our communities."
}