Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1419030,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1419030/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 82,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge the Senate and National Assembly committees on Health to give us a proper way forward on resolving the health crisis. I also call upon the CoG to be serious because they were supposed to have a meeting on how to resolve this health crisis. However, the CoG conveniently avoided holding that meeting yesterday. Yesterday, our proceedings were almost disrupted because of the noise and protests by medical doctors and other health professionals who were demonstrating. Many Kenyans are suffering, and our hospitals are dysfunctional. The strike has been there for long enough. The Senate Committee on Health--- I request the Chairperson of the Committee on Health to convene even a Committee of the Whole next week, so that the entire Senate, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, the Permanent Secretaries (PSs), the doctors’ union--- I am happy one of the Secretary-Generals of health workers’ unions, Dr. Davji Atellah nowadays wears a cap. I hope his brain was not affected when that attack happened. He should be here. Other union officials like Dr. Wachira and Dr. Kibore must also be here, so that we ask them what the problem is. We need a whole of nation approach. The head of public service, Mr. Felix Koskei, said that almost all issues have been resolved except two. However, when you listen to the union officials, they are saying something totally different. The SRC is also saying something else. It is high time we took a position as a House. Let them come before the Committee of the Whole next week led by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and the unions. Mr. Speaker, Sir, finally, I know there has been a debate on whether intern doctors are as qualified as pupils or other interns. I propose that we have a conversation as a country. I know people like Sen. Maanzo who own law firms will find this uncomfortable. I propose that we harmonize the payment of interns. For some of us who worked in law firms, we used to be given lunch for githeri and mandazi yet, we were doing matters worth billions of shillings. We need to harmonize, so that we have a standardized fee for intern doctors, law, engineering or any other profession. This will help to deal with issues that might come up. I know this is a debate that we might have for the longest time possible. We respect doctors and health practitioners, but they must come down. They must adhere to the Hippocratic Oath. It says even if it comes to the wire, their issue is to protect the lives of Kenyans. So, I commend the Committee on Health. Let us be proactive and not reactive, so that we can keep the update. I hope this matter will be resolved as soon as possible. I assure the country that these issues have the goodwill of His Excellency President Dr. William Ruto and his administration. He has shown the goodwill to ensure that these matters are resolved. Kenyans will continue to have access to the best healthcare in our dispensaries, health centres and referral hospitals across the country. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}