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"content": "problem in the country. I beg to speak at this juncture because this Motion reminds me of what happened on 2nd March, 2013, when we were doing our last campaigns. One of the lorries we were using to travel around had an accident. Over 40 people had to be rushed to the only district hospitals serving, I think, over four constituencies, that is Homa Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Rangwe and Gwassi. I was told that the people who were injured could not be treated until I made it possible for them to have money for treatment. There is a rugged terrain. We have one highway stretching across the area. We have no roads or bridges around. You can imagine that for four-and-a-half hours I was struggling to reach the people who were to vote for me on 4th March, 2013 at the hospital to help them. When I raised the issue as to this law - as a lawyer I knew that it existed - the response that came was: âWhat happens if we do not give the treatment any way?â So, I join other Members of this House in urging the hon. Member who moved this important Motion to process a Bill, so that we can provide for consequences in the event of failure to comply with a clear constitutional provision like this one. Hon. Speaker, Sir, it is unfortunate that we are debating a Motion such as this one in this age in this House. This is our fourth day debating the Presidential Address, and we are talking about free medical attention to our mothers at the point of delivery. My grandfather told me that any living thing that wishes to produce a new one must die. So, delivering a baby is death. There is no emergency that is greater than what faces a woman at the point of delivery. .We took four days debating on whether really it should be free for them. We are here today debating an existing constitutional provision that we duly promulgated. (technical sound hitch)--- In fact, you may take it for granted but our medical facilities across the nation today are death cells. You go in not being sure that you will leave the hospital in a good condition. I appreciate those members of the medical fraternity who work diligently and abide by the Hippocratic Oath. However, really, people take chances with their lives when they go for treatment in Kenya. India is currently getting a lot of money. I think they have even christened it âmedical tourismâ. People are going there for very basic health needs that we can deal with, as a country. There is a problem I can share with the House based on my experience as a lawyer. (technical sound hitch) ---medical practitioners to ensure that they keep to the ethics of their profession. In fact any complaint taken there is a chance for them to cover up for the doctor or individual medical practitioner. This is unlike in the legal profession. People have talked about lawyers doing this and that. Do we know that about 25 to 30 members of the legal profession are either suspended or struck off the Roll of Advocates every year for small professional issues like failing to correspond to a client? In the medical profession, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board believe that it is their duty to protect the practitioners, even those whom we should be weeding out. It becomes even more difficult for individual Kenyans who are intent on taking up cases of medical negligence in our courts. Let me surprise the House. No single medical practitioner in this country is willing - I do not know whether it is in their ethics - to give evidence before a court of law against another to confirm professional negligence. I think these are the issues that we should be dealing with. I add my voice to the contributions already made. Let us come up with a comprehensive Bill that can enforce what we want in the health sector."
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