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{
    "id": 682901,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/682901/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 107,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "We are noticing sophistication and many changes in some of these processes including medical. The use of technology is increasing in various fields. We have noted there is emphasis and encouragement of specialisation. It is a good idea, particularly at this point in time, for biomedical engineers to come together and form an organised association or group. They should have a legislative framework to regulate themselves. Looking through the Bill, I noted that it is taking care of training, registration and general regulations of this profession including licensing. The Bill provides for a board that will run the day-to-day affairs of this profession. It is also good to note that for those who may choose to go into private practice, there is a section that will regulate how that will be done, how they will be registered and regulate the ethics needed in private practice. There is a section that addresses issues of discipline so that members of this profession will know what is expected of them and the consequences in the event of any breach of practice, ethics or this. There should also be well-laid out financial requirements and delegated powers. The intention of the Bill is good. I hope that at the end of the training of the biomedical engineers, they will be employed locally and work for this nation. I have noted that in a field like medicine, as a nation, we train very many people but those professionals such as doctors and nurses end up working in other countries. We need to address the reasons why this is happening. How come we have shortages and deficiencies and yet all the time we train these professionals in sufficient numbers? It must be because we are not offering an environment that is conducive for them to work in this country. In fact, if you visit a number of African countries, particularly those in the south, you will find very many Kenyan medical professionals working there. I hope with this provision, regulation and systematic way of handling this profession of biomedical engineers, we shall come up with ways of motivating them and retain their services within the country. While on the issue of medical services, I am perturbed to see the poor services that our people have been getting since medical services were devolved. This is a matter that needs very serious examination. It needs to be addressed so that we know what the problems are. Why do we have poor services in our medical facilities? There are no medicines; the medical facilities are completely understaffed and the staff are demoralised. We also have some facilities that were put up using public funds and yet they are unutilised and are not even open. We have serious problems within the health sector that need very serious focus. The Government has spent billions of shillings to bring in leased equipment. We need to conduct an audit and a cost-benefit analysis to know whether that was the right way to go, or perhaps, we are not getting value for our money. With this kind of association or formation of professionals, there will be an opportunity for them to engage and advise the trainers so that if there are any gaps in training and in the professional work, they will be in a position to engage and advise employers. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I heard you recognising our good students who have come to visit the National Assembly and see what goes on here. I would also like to encourage them to pursue"
}