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{
    "id": 678821,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/678821/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 255,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "the County Public Accounts and Investments Committees is the issue of referral hospitals. During the County Allocation of Revenue Bill we had an issue because there was a reduction of the money meant to go to referral hospitals. These referral hospitals serve counties all across the country. Again, the conditional grants for medical facilities are very limited in terms of use. Most counties have complained that they are unable to reallocate money to ensure they keep up with their duty of promoting primary healthcare. That amendment will ensure the CoG is represented in that board. The other issue is that of the Workmen Compensation Act. This is procedural because it was repealed and it is still in the Bill. We are supposed to clean up these laws and align them to devolution and adjust to the new Constitution. That amendment is basically to replace that with the Work Injuries Benefits Act as it should be; Cap 236. The issue of NHIF and healthcare in this country is still far off from being the best. However, that does not mean that we as the Senate abscond our duty. It is important that county governments feel a part of it. Article 189 of the Constitution ensures that despite these two levels of government being distinct, they are also very interdependent. Article 189(2) states:- “(2) Government at each level, and different governments at the county level, shall co-operate in the performance of functions and exercise of powers and, for that purpose, may set up joint committees and joint authorities.” That is the spirit of the Constitution. When people suffer from NHIF contribution or lack of it, one realizes that these people are in the counties and the national government also serves those counties. During the Committee Stage or at a later level, we can address the issue of dissemination of information on NHIF. They are not doing enough in terms of enlightening the population on the importance of having the NHIF card. Though NHIF has had very many scandals, and other funny stories, in terms of services they have improved. In some hospitals, one is able to get dialysis for some sessions paid for by NHIF. One is also able to do some more specialized treatments including dentistry. If that can be made known to the population, we will be able to get more people interested in contributing to this Fund per month. Sometimes Kenyans need a little pushing. Even now when we talk of continuous voter registration, we are still the same people who still wait for the last minute. People do not know the importance of this card until they have a sick person in their families or circles. That is when they realize this card helps. Every weekend I get medical appeals including this coming weekend. These people do not know the existence of NHIF. It would be upon the board to actually disseminate the information through the Ministry of Health. They need to sensitize us and tell members that they should take up NHIF. Those are the simple amendments that this Bill seeks to include in the principal Act. I hope we can enrich it and get the county government representation which should not be negotiable. Penalties should be reduced and more Kenyans should encouraged to join the Fund, including those from such sectors as the Small and Medium, Enterprises (SMEs), the youth-owned businesses and the jua kali sector. They should 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"
}