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{
    "id": 444192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/444192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 329,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) R.K. Nyamai",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1979,
        "legal_name": "Rachael Kaki Nyamai",
        "slug": "rachael-kaki-nyamai"
    },
    "content": "Two, we are facing co-ordination challenges within the Ministry. The Committee observed that the sector lacks standardized framework to address health workers’ welfare and as such, there is need for a functional body to do so. On human resource, the Committee observed that issues related to human resource in the sector remain contentious post devolution. This concerns the hiring, training and capacity building of health workers. The Committee also took note of the hostilities that are being faced by health professionals within counties, with some of them being sent back to the national Government for posting afresh. One of the most serious challenges facing mainly doctors and nurses in the public sector is the resignation from public to private sector, and this is likely to make health care unaffordable to the common person. We also, as a committee, realize that there is a challenge of operational matters. In this, we are facing devolution of health services with regard to the low capacity of county governments to take up procurement of essential drugs. I would relate this to the many statements that we are receiving that are related to shortage of drugs within the counties. The Committee was further concerned about the quality of drugs and the laws of economies of scale and compromise of quality when counties procure drugs from their own sources as opposed to purchasing from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, a Government entity that has been given the responsibility of doing so. Having made official visits to some public health facilities in Kisumu, Kakamega, Mombasa and Kilifi counties to appreciate the challenges posed by devolution in the health sector, the Committee noted that these challenges are highly faced within health centers and health facilities within the counties. Having enumerated some of the challenges facing the sector, it is the Committee’s considered opinion that a lot ought to be done to mitigate the challenges and also forestall the unseen and the seen consequences of unplanned devolution of health services. The country cannot afford further lack of coordination within the Ministry of Health. We know that this is one of the special services for the country. It is for this reason that the Committee proposed various recommendations among them; invoking Article 187 of the Constitution on transfer of functions between the two levels of Government; to reverse devolution of health functions back to the national Government through dialogue within the two levels of Government and further restarting the process in an organized and consultative manner as well as taking into consideration the three year window that is provided for in the Constitution. Further, a taskforce on devolution of health care be set up to coordinate and supervise the reversal of some of the already devolved health functions most of which have been compromised. The Constitution and other governing laws, for example, the Transition to Devolved Government Act, must be applied as a guide in devolution process. Further, the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}