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{
    "id": 444257,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/444257/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 394,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Bitok",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2372,
        "legal_name": "Stephen Kirwa Bitok",
        "slug": "stephen-kirwa-bitok"
    },
    "content": "As per their recommendation, I would say that it is really sad that we did not manage to plan properly the devolvement of health facilities. When you go to the ground, you really see the desperation of the citizens in trying to access health facilities, leave alone getting quality services. This has arisen from the haphazard transfer of functions from the national Government to the county governments. It is a matter that sincerely needs our people or the national Government and the respective county governments to think clearly and utilize available avenue so that we can have these functions properly managed. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, when you realize the same functions need to be managed properly under Article 187 (1) and (2), I support the idea of reversal. When we are dealing with the issue of Level 5 hospitals in the Budget and the money that will be used to handle those facilities, it shows that the capacities at the counties are not adequate. Therefore, the national Government should actually handle the functions and finance them. You will realize that equipping hospitals that are in the county requires a lot of input from the Government. The other day we were discussing the Budget and we realized that the national Government must intervene through the hiring of equipment to a tune of Kshs3 million every month which shows that despite the fact that we have transferred these functions, the national Government still has to spend to ensure that citizens get services. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, you also realize that there is a lot of displeasure by the health practitioners to a level that most of them are leaving the services of the counties to go outside the country or into private practice. This is also promoting inefficiencies and nepotism because you find counties employing people who they are close to. No professionalism is observed. On the terms and conditions of service for the health workers, you realize that they are a frustrated lot. In some counties, there has been a bit of interference in the earnings and benefits that health workers are used to. The procurement processes practised at the county are wanting. I, therefore, support this Report that there should be a reversal of the health functions. There should be formation of necessary taskforce to deal with the devolvement of health functions. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}