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{
"id": 1476757,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1476757/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mariam Omar",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56 (1) (b) to make a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Health for the second quarter of the Third Session covering the period between April to August, 2024. During the period under review, the committee held 28 sittings during which it considered one legislative proposal, 12 Statements, two Petitions and undertook county oversight and networking visits. Attached to this Statement is a schedule of legislative business considered by the committee. During the period under review, the Speaker of the Senate conveyed to the Senate the message from the Cabinet Secretary for Health forwarding the name of Dr. Patrick Omwanda Amoth, EBS, for appointment to the position of Director-General for Health. The committee, sitting jointly with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, conducted approval hearing on the suitability, competence, experience and integrity of the candidate and consequently prepared and adopted its report, which was tabled on 1st August, 2024. In the reporting period, the committee conducted county oversight and networking engagements in four counties. These are Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Kwale and Mombasa counties. The objectives of these engagements were to assess the state and quality of the infrastructure, facilities and hospital equipment, the provision and decentralization of ambulance and emergency service and automation of health provision system for the patients, drugs and commodity management. The committee further sought information into the adequacy of health care personnel in the counties, the gaps, the challenges, if any, the counties face in regard to the health care workers. The committee also held consultative meetings with the Ministry of Health, the CoG and the health workers unions during the countrywide health workers strike in April. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am happy to report that some of our interventions culminated in an amicable return-to-work formula agreement signed between the national Government, county governments and the health workers unions. In the report’s period, the committee conducted pre-publication scrutiny on the on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposed by Sen. Catherine Mumma and recommended its publication. The Bill, which seeks to regulate the production, sales, advertisement and the smoking of nicotine products, including the use of nicotine pouches and the electronic nicotine delivery, systems was consequently introduced in the Senate by way of First Reading on 6th August, 2024. Accordingly, during this quarter, the committee is scheduled to consider presentations received by way of writing memorandum, prepare and the table its report on the Bill. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}