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{
    "id": 1525858,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1525858/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 245,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mbadi",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 110,
        "legal_name": "John Mbadi Ng'ong'o",
        "slug": "john-mbadi"
    },
    "content": "So, what am I going to do from the Treasury perspective? From the Treasury, I am going to insist on rationalising our budget to put money where it is needed. I just want to tell Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale that the National Treasury has supported SHA. It is not true that we have not supported it. Even in the current supplementary two, we have a location of Kshs6 billion to support SHA, three billion to support primary health care, and another three billion to support critical care. By the way, it may interest Members to understand that, from the information I have, critical health care was not being provided under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) but under SHA. The Government has insisted we must provide it and make resources available. Apart from the deductions from members, which are basically insurance, it is not actually expenditure. The money that is collected from Kenyans, if you take the best-case scenario that no Kenyan falls sick, should not be spent; it should remain there. So, it is not an expenditure. That is why, when you look at our fiscal framework, we have removed the SHA allocation of Kshs73 billion from the framework because it is not an expenditure. However, the Government must also put in money to support health care in the country. So, you will see in the budget allocation that we must support this critical health programme. I hope and believe that the Line Ministry will do justice to Kenyans by making this system work, more efficient, and more accountable. Problems are bound to exist because any new thing must have challenges. However, those challenges must be dealt with within a period of time so that the system works. We cannot afford to lose this system. This system is the best for this country, especially with the challenges surrounding some of the health programmes that USAID was supporting. We need a system that caters to society's vulnerable. I agree with Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale, largely. I have taken note of your suggestion and advice to my Ministry on how to deal with the funding for the Health Ministry. I will act accordingly."
}