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{
    "id": 1518403,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1518403/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 286,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Joe Nyutu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I just wanted to comment on the Statement by Sen. Hamida Kibwana on the mental health of medical interns. This is a matter that concerns all of us because of what is happening and we have seen it during the many industrial actions taken by the medics. We have been able to establish that most of these medical interns are given long hours to serve, even as their seniors, the doctors sometimes do one or two hours and then, of course, go to their private practice. This is something that could be leading to a lot of mental pressure and stress, leading even sometimes to suicide cases. Once the Committee on Health then undertakes the job that it is going to do while looking at this particular matter, even the remuneration and the hours that these medical interns put in should be looked into. The Committee then should be able to give recommendations as requested by Senator Hamida. It takes six years to train a medical doctor at the university, while the other degree courses take four years. These are people who put in a lot of academic time; they are people that the government and the various hospitals need to recognize by paying well. Those who are admitted to take Medicine are the top cream in every academic year. These are not people then that we should pay peanuts and give them long hours of service. This is a matter that this House should take very seriously because, again, these are the people that we entrust our health to. Anybody can get ill. If they are going to offer their services to us while they are under stress, while not comfortable with where they live, what they eat and the kind of lifestyle that they lead, then every Kenyan that is seeking medical services from these interns, who basically are the ones that you are going to find in every hospital any hour, will also be at risk. So, when we speak for these medical interns, we are speaking also for our interests, ourselves, our families and indeed, every other Kenyan. We may want the Senate Committee on Health, while looking at this matter, to also look at the training of medical students. Everyone knows that previously, universities across the country used to admit a very small number of medical students, which has changed over time. Probably, the Committee should also concern itself with wanting to see what universities are doing with the increased number of students taking medical courses. It is"
}