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{
    "id": 443403,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/443403/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Mover has mentioned about the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Kenya has moved forward now that we have FOC backbone which is now closer to most of the counties. However, we need to take it to the nearest hospitals in the counties. Madam Temporary Speaker, every county today has funds noting that in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the function of health services has been devolved. Every governor and county government is struggling to build infrastructure and buy some equipment. What is lacking is the availability of specialists or consultants. These are people who can attend to people in a specialized manner. I remember last week we had a problem in my county at the Kapenguria County Hospital. We only have one doctor who cannot completely handle many accident cases. He had a lot of consultations with doctors in Kitale and Eldoret. However, because of lack of this connectivity, nothing much could be done. Consultation between specialists and other doctors was not possible. It makes sense if we can pass this Motion and ask the Government to take it seriously that FOC should be connected to all Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals. It does not cost much. What is costly? Is it to put this in place or losing the lives of our people who are taxpayers? These are the people who put the Government in place. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Mover talked about the latest technology; we have MRI x-ray, CT-scans and so on. Most of these can be done if there is availability of ICT. Due to technological advancement today consultancy by doctors abroad is possible and patients can be attended to. In Nairobi Hospital today consultancy is done as far as India and the United States of America (USA). Therefore we need a serious initiative to be put in place and a commitment by the national Government to provide the same. I know we have some challenges where the national Government has a pull and push with county governments. Two weeks ago, I led a delegation from my county to the Cabinet Secretary for Health. They are saying that consultancy can only be sourced if you talk to the Ministry and Director of Health. This is a grey area where the national Government cannot run away from the responsibility that was there before although some of this has been devolved. The proper diagnosis can only be done by people who are trained. Many people have been misdiagnosed and given wrong treatment for lack of proper infrastructure. If we can put this connectivity in place, it would be easier to treat a patient even if the specialist is far. Most of the problems in the rural areas and, especially counties that are far away from the original headquarters of the provinces can easily be attended to. We cannot under-estimate the investment that can be put in the medical personnel. As we move this we are also saying that the county governments need to set aside money to train some of their specialists. To get a consultant to be posted in Lodwar, Marsabit, Garissa or West Pokot then the counties need to invest in people and sent them for specialized training for five or ten years. In the meantime, the solution lies in having fibre connectivity that is reliable, active and working in the facilities we have. Madam Temporary Speaker, lastly, we need to improve on the state of some of these facilities like Level 4 and Level 5. Some of them were built many years ago and some equipment are outdated and need to be upgraded. Another issue coming up is that The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}