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{
    "id": 379196,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/379196/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 184,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Billow",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 260,
        "legal_name": "Billow Adan Kerrow",
        "slug": "billow-kerrow"
    },
    "content": "the professionals. However, the Motion seems to suggest that it wants to set up a public health complaints board in the counties. This is basically a screening institution that members of the public can report to and where their complaints are screened on whether they are reasonable or genuine so that they are forwarded to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board for disciplinary action against their members. The cases can also be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution in cases which are outright criminal and so forth. This is not the only profession which has this sort of a board. We know that the Law Society of Kenya is a self regulatory institution for lawyers. We also have a complaints commission for lawyers where members of the public can go and complain when their legal advisers have misadvised them or if there have been malpractices. This is essentially the same kind of thing being proposed. I do not find it contradictory to the provisions which are there with regard to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board. However, it is important to point out that the code of conduct for the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board provides for a very elaborate system for carrying out inquiries into misconduct by doctors. It has a tribunal that has judicial and post-judicial powers to deal with their members; perhaps, they need to clarify that. At this stage, my understanding is simply to set up a complaints board similar to the one that lawyers and other professionals have where members of the public can register complaints. Ultimately, the outcome of the registration of those complaints is to forward them to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board which has the powers to strike them off the register or to take other appropriate action. That is how I look at it. I think it is very appropriate given the fact that we are devolving health services to the counties, there is no doubt that it will become necessary to have an institution like this which members can use. Kenyans are becoming more enlightened. They know their rights and are more informed to the extent that in cases where they are not getting the appropriate services they are paying for in public and private institutions, they need to have a place where they can register their complaints before they are forwarded. I want to conclude by saying that the main concern that was raised earlier by one of the Senators is valid. Probably, we should look at this Board in terms of a regulatory framework. They need to have a basis in law that needs to be looked at by the Mover of the Motion so that even as the board is set up, it becomes clear on what basis they can review complaints and decide that the complaints must be taken to other institutions for action. Maybe the regulatory environment needs to be looked at to give it more weight. However, I support it fully. It is important that we have this institution because of the growing concern that we have in this country today."
}