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{
    "id": 498690,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/498690/?format=api",
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    "content": "As of now, counties are independent entities. They recruit and if you have to leave your post, you have to resign to be able to go and work in another county. What this Motion seeks is that there should be flexibility in movement of health personnel like specialists, doctors and so forth between counties and also with the national Government. Let this personnel be a shared resource. In the event that we have an outbreak of a disease and God forbid, like is happening in other countries now, and we may want to move staff immediately from county “A” which is not affected to county “B” which is affected, how do we do it? There is no formula or provision currently. What this Motion sought is that administration of health staff must retain some national approach. The two levels of government should be able to discuss and agree on modalities. I am aware, that this function is devolved. This Motion does not seek to centralize provision of services. We recognize that the function is devolved. However, there is a way under Article 187 of the Constitution where a function which can well be performed by another level of Government can be done by that other level on behalf of the other level. What we are saying here is, administration of the health personnel, even if health is devolved, remain a national function. They should be paid at the national level, their training at the national level, but deployed to counties. Day to day administration can be done by the counties and they can, therefore, be transferrable. That way, they are assured of pension and promotion to the level of Director of Medical Services. Madam Temporary Speaker, the other issue is that of shortage of personnel in the counties. The way they are moving away from Government employment is a serious threat to the health of our people. Articles 26 and 47 of our Constitution guarantee that every person has a right to health. Therefore, what we are trying to do here is to ensure that health facilities are provided. I take the challenge that we, as the Senate, should go further and perhaps prescribe the method or a way in which the counties and the national Government should work together in this respect. However, I thought that at this initial stage, we can urge them, let them sit together and bring solutions because this is provided for in the Constitution. We also note that at some stage, it may be necessary to have an independent commission just like the teachers have their own; the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), let there be, for example, the Health Services Commission (HSC) to manage matters to do with health personnel. However, we have not reached that stage. Let them start using Articles 187 and 189(c) as mentioned by Sen. Wangari which requires that the two levels of government can liaise for the purpose of exchanging information, coordinating policies, administration and enhancing capacity. With those few remarks, Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, I appreciate the contribution by Members and the support. I beg to move."
}