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{
    "id": 1341208,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1341208/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 478,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr Susan Nakhumicha",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Health",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker and Members. In my submissions, I talked about two cochlear surgeons. Is there a need to increase their number? Yes, there is. We have a shortage, not just of cochlear surgeons, but of many other specialists. We have a shortage of anaesthesiologists and specialists to manage the increasing cases of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We offer postgraduate training to doctors who are willing to go into the sub-specialties. However, that is done on application basis through their counties, but their fee is paid by the Ministry of Health. We continue to encourage qualified doctors to undertake sub-specialty trainings. However, they have to be released by their counties for us to support them. I mentioned that we are training and mainstreaming sign language interpreters into the training curriculum at the KMTC and other training curriculum for healthcare workers. That is the solution for our current problem. Most deaf and hard-to-hear cases can be prevented if they are detected early during pregnancy, at birth and early in childhood. Our masterstroke as the Ministry of Health is that we are shifting from focusing on curative services to preventive, promotive and rehabilitative services. We are starting with community health promoters who can bring expectant mothers to clinics for ante-natal check-ups. Such cases can be picked out early. That is how we will fight this challenge and ensure that fewer people end up deaf. It would be sad if a person became deaf yet the condition could have been rectified had it been detected early enough. The National Health Insurance Fund covers hearing aids and other assistive technology as long as they are clinically diagnosed and approved by a health professional, but not for cosmetic purposes. You will agree with me that many people would like to change their physique. There are many people who do not like themselves so they introduce all manner of forms to obtain coverage for cosmetic purposes. We cannot cover that under the NHIF. I seek the indulgence of Members that if somebody has a disability, even if it is not visible, but it is clinically diagnosed by a medical practitioner, it can be covered by the NHIF. The Ministry is aware of the KPNA. However, endorsement of products is not part of their mandate. We will get back to them and tell them that they are dealing in activities that are not within their mandate. Hopefully, we will put a stop to that and to any other associations 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."
}