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{
    "id": 596948,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/596948/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 341,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Okoth",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12482,
        "legal_name": "Kenneth Odhiambo Okoth",
        "slug": "kenneth-odhiambo-okoth"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also want to say it is a timely matter to have this Bill before this House but, due to the limited time, I would like to be brief in my remarks and contribution. The first thing that I will point out is that Kenya has international obligations which we have signed up to. I had the privilege to participate in the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, 57th Session in Banjul, Gambia and Kenya presented its report on human rights. When we think about economic and social rights that are guaranteed under Article 43 of our Constitution, access to health rights is so important, including emergency healthcare and also the highest standard of healthcare which includes reproductive health rights. This is an opportune time for us to discuss our obligations under international commitments that our Government has made, and which this House has the capacity to oversee. I hope that the Departmental Committee on Health and the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs will find ways to bring the report that was submitted in Banjul, Gambia for thorough investigation by this House to see where the gaps are and what this House can do. I will give you two examples of a particular concern. The first one is on the issue of reproductive healthcare. Under the Maputo Protocol, women have a right to access quality, safe and legal options for abortion among many other issues in reproductive healthcare. You will notice that in Kenya, we have this mentioned in our Constitution that abortion is legal in cases where, in the judgment of a healthcare provider or professional, it is meant to save the life of the mother. But the Ministry of Health has taken away the guidelines that are supposed to guide healthcare providers in this country in understanding their duty, care and responsibility to make sure that, where an abortion is necessary, it can be provided in a legal and safe manner to the women of Kenya. It is not happening because the guidelines were withdrawn since 2011. It is a high time this House and the Departmental Committee on Health held the Cabinet Secretary (CS) accountable to bring those regulations back. It is a commitment under the Maputo Protocol and our Constitution. There is no reason why we should put that aside. Regardless of our religious affiliations, the lives of women and mothers of this country are under jeopardy. The second issue is the Abuja Protocol. Kenya is a signatory to it and we have ratified it. It requires that we put in 15 per cent of our national spending into healthcare. Imagine that! Fifteen per cent will transform healthcare in this country. Every little village will have a clinic. Every little clinic and dispensary will have the capacity to refer, including an ambulance. Countries like Ghana have done this. They have put aside 10 per cent. They have not even reached the 15 per cent. They have put 10 per cent in education and 10 per cent in healthcare. Healthcare and education systems in those countries have been transformed. So, we do not have to go far to look for good examples. I would like to see whether this House can make history by making a provision in this Bill to ensure that Kenyan’s spending on healthcare moves from the measly 6 per cent that we are currently at to 15 per cent. It will be the best investment we will have done to our people. Next will be security. A healthy nation is a productive nation. So, I 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."
}