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{
    "id": 597428,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/597428/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 241,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "Therefore, when disability is fought and struggled against by gallant gentlemen, like Sen. Kipchumba, and that recognition is extended to us through him by a United Nations (UN) organization, particularly WHO and UNICEF, we, as a House, must congratulate them. We must put it in our record that this is something that is important in what we do as defenders and promoters of the interests of counties where our people live and also make sure that the budgetary allocation in our nation is properly done to tackle not only poverty, but also health. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to speak about immunization in a little Republic called Cuba, where before a child is born, he is vaccinated seven times against the diseases that he is likely to encounter when he is born. In other words, the baby leaves the mother’s womb fortified and strengthened against the vagaries of the earth. That is one of the reasons Cuba has recorded such a high score in terms of health. Cuba stands out as a leading country in health delivery and care. I remember when I was a Minister in charge of Medical Services; I attended a conference in Cuba. That conference was attended by many health professionals and decision makers. About 2,500 people gathered in Cuba for that conference. Out of that number, 800 came from the United States of America (USA) at a time when the USA still had an embargo on Cuba. That is the extent to which the USA recognized Cuba’s leading role in health and the need for other countries to learn from Cuba. Now that the relationship between Cuba and the USA has improved, I am quite sure that Cuba will get the necessary resources and equipment that it needs to advance its health care capability. We, in Kenya, will collaborate with Cuba in the area of vaccines to improve our health care system. What is also special about Cuba is that they use sugar which is one of their major products creatively. The seven vaccines that the Cubans use to vaccinate, their babies with before they are born are all derived from one product called sugar. We have plenty of sugar in this country. If only we could industrialize sugar or use it as a basis for industrialization, we shall go a long way in improving our health services, particularly in the area of immunization. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, during colonial times and maybe even 20 years after colonialism, this country was leading in immunization in Africa. Unfortunately, we have since ceded the leading position to other countries because of insufficient investment in health services and research. We have many capable scientists in this country. I believe that if they had access to proper research facilities, we have the ability and the capability to develop the kind of vaccines that I am talking about in Cuba. One of our leading institutions, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), has recently been embroiled in the now becoming Kenyan abnormal disease; mismanagement and corruption, which has compromised its relationship with development partners. I have been involved in discourse between KEMRI and its branches and outlets in Kisumu where they have an extremely important institution. I know that KEMRI also has other institutions in the Coast doing research, particularly in the area of Malaria, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis (TB). Mr. Temporary Speaker, KEMRI has a foundation to expand in other areas of medical research. The last thing that we need is for KEMRI to catch the now common Kenyan flu; corruption and mismanagement.We do not want the name or the dignity of 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."
}