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{
"id": 1479039,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1479039/?format=api",
"text_counter": 190,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Endebess, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I wish to make a statement on the shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA) are today rolling out the healthcare services and benefits under three funds—the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund—established under the Social Health Insurance Act (No.16 of 2023) enacted by this House almost a year ago. This Act is being operationalised by the Government. Access to SHA healthcare services and the benefits being offered are being rolled out today, 1st October 2024. As the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health, I rise to give a statement on matters concerning the procurement of the Integrated Health Information Technology System by the Ministry of Health, which has elicited a lot of debate. Hon. Deputy Speaker, Members of the Departmental Committee on Health raised concerns regarding the procurement of this system. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Health was invited to clarify the procurement process and provide evidence of compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, CAP. 412C. The Committee made the following observations from its engagements with the Ministry. One, the Ministry of Health, through the State Department for Medical Services, undertook the procurement of Integrated Health Information Technology System as part of the implementation of universal healthcare in the country. They submitted that the primary aim of this integrated system is to address the existing challenges in the healthcare sector, including issues of interoperability, data quality, accessibility, and affordability. The Ministry of Health is aligned with the Kenya Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan, the Kenya Health Data Collaborative and the Kenya Digital Economy Blueprint which are all under the guidance of Section 105 of the Health Act, CAP. 241. The system procurement involves a contract valued at Ksh104,808,136,478 set to be executed over a 12-year period. The Ministry of Health has partnered with MS Safaricom PLC as a strategic partner with the procurement conducted under the Specially Permitted Procurement Procedure (SPPP). It covers the development and implementation of integrated health information technology system, including digital healthcare platforms. The tender is structured in two major cost components: initial investment by the strategic partners of Ksh34,003,483,013 over two years and infrastructure support and maintenance of Ksh70, 804,653,465 over 10 years. In adherence to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 and the tender regulations, the Ministry indicated that the procurement process began on 6th June 2023. The then Cabinet Secretary for Health requested the use of SPPP for the medical equipment supply project, healthcare information technology and the supply of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) kits. The National Treasury approved the request on 13th June 2023, subject to conditions regarding the preparation of tender documents that included specifications, conditions of tendering and contracting, and justification for the use of SPPP detailing the procedure of on boarding the strategic partners. This process was followed by the Ministry's compliance and further approvals. The bid documents were issued on 9th May 2024 and closed on 15th May 2024. After the tender evaluation and negotiation, the Ministry submitted a draft contract to the Office of the Attorney-General for review and necessary advisory, in line with Section 134(2) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. It obligates the accounting officer of a procuring entity to seek clearance from the Attorney-General before signing contracts of a value exceeding Ksh5 billion. 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."
}