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{
    "id": 1484976,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1484976/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ndhiwa, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Martin Owino",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "regulation of CHWs through setting qualifications and professional standards, and providing advice to the Cabinet Secretary and county governments on community health matters. The Community Health Workers Disciplinary Committee, on the other hand, will handle disciplinary matters involving CHWs, which is critical in ensuring the provision of safe and quality patient care. The CHWs are critical in ensuring early detection of diseases. Early detection of diseases prevents escalation of diseases, which will ultimately reduce the cost of care that is paid for not only by the Government, but also from Kenyans’ pockets. Investment in community healthcare services is also crucial to the success of the entire health system as it ensures effective and targeted management of diseases. That kind of one-on-one management of diseases will improve the administration of medication, thus leading to better health outcomes and a reduction in the spread of contagious diseases and drug resistance. In recognition of the importance of the role of CHWs, as the House will note in the Health Committee’s Report, the Bill is to be amended to align it with the Primary Health Care Act No.13 of 2023, that was enacted by this august House almost a year ago. The Act adopted the term Community Health Promoters. The Bill is, therefore, in line with the Government's priority of using primary healthcare as the key driver of Universal Health Coverage. Primary healthcare is essential in ensuring that all Kenyans not only access good quality healthcare, but also fully participate in the management of their specific health needs. That is why the Bill provides community healthcare services that are commencing at the household level. The Bill is also aligned to the Constitution of Kenya 2010 as it facilitates the progressive realisation of the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to healthcare services that are guaranteed under Article 43(1)(a) and Article 21(2) of the Constitution, which requires the State to take legislative policy and other measures to ensure that the progressive realisation of the rights that are granted in Article 43 are achieved. The Bill seeks to facilitate the fulfilment of that obligation by both levels of government as it makes the healthcare framework responsive to the unique health needs of Kenya's population. Therefore, I urge this House to pass this Bill and allow this framework to also recognise Community Health Workers. The human resource in the health sector is below the expectation of the World Health Organisation (WHO). We have a human resource that is not consummate to whatever is required. We would need two ‘legs’ of the healthcare system – supplies and infrastructure – and each ‘leg’ cannot work on its own without health workers. This is where investing in community health workers comes in handy because at Level I hospitals, if we are robust with that cadre, we should recognise, regulate and treat them uniformly across the country. That would mean that a community health worker in Mandera works at the same level as a community health worker in Ndhiwa, which is my constituency."
}