Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1563325,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1563325/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 60,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mariam Omar",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "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 First Quarter of the Fourth Session covering the period between January and April, 2025. During the period under review, the committee held 20 meetings during which it considered three Bills, one Petition, one Memorandum and followed up on the implementation status of one Senate resolution. During the same period, 25 statements were referred to the committee for consideration. In the reporting period, the committee held a consultative meeting with the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, to deliberate on the proposed policies, programmes and expenditure ceilings of the respective state departments as contained in the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The committee further sought information on the status of the financial year 2024/2025 Budget and the key policies underlying the expenditure ceilings in the 2025 BPS. Hon. Speaker, I wish to report that one of the key recommendations that the committee made during the meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and in its report is that sufficient resources should be allocated to implement the policy. This is to enable employment of 20,000 healthcare workers as contained in the 2023 BPS. With the foregoing, priority should be given to absorb an estimated 8,000 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) healthcare workers currently employed on contractual terms. Further, the Ministry of Health should provide details on the different cadres targeted for employment and their distribution. Mr. Speaker Sir, in the reporting period, the committee considered stakeholder submissions to three Bills that had been committed to the committee for consideration. These are: (1) The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.35 of 2024). (2) The Kenya (Health Products and Technologies Regulatory Authority Bills, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No.54 of 2022). (3) The Community Health Promoters Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No.53 of 2022). During consideration, the committee observed that some proposed provisions and submissions required clarification and supplementary information from stakeholders. This would enable the committee propose amendments during the Third Reading Stage. With the foregoing, the committee sought clarification from stakeholders which are scheduled for consideration before the committee prepares its report on the three Bills. In the reporting period, the committee concluded its consideration of the Petition regarding alleged medical negligence and staff incompetency leading to the death of Ms. Annita Jepkorir at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. This Petition highlights critical issues in healthcare delivery and patient safety in our healthcare facilities that demand urgent attention and action. 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."
}