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{
    "id": 697400,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/697400/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 105,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me an opportunity. At the outset, I support the adoption of this policy. As the policy points out, 50 per cent and perhaps more of the population is made up of children. They form an important part of our population and it is only right that laws, systems and structures are put in place to ensure that the challenges that our children face can also be addressed in a systematic way and in a much organised manner. Obviously, the 50 per cent of the population, who are children, will grow to become adults. So, the way they are treated and the opportunities they are given to grow, both in terms of physical or mental growth as indicated in the policy, will determine the quality of adults we shall have in future. Hon. Speaker, I was reminded of Article 53(1) under the Bill of Rights and it is something that we need to keep reminding ourselves about. It states:- “(1) Every child has the right— (a) to a name and nationality from birth; (b) to free and compulsory basic education; (c) to basic nutrition, shelter and health care; (d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour; (e) to parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibility of the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are married to each other or not; and (f) not to be detained, except as a measure of last resort, and when detained, to be held— (i) for the shortest appropriate period of time; and (ii) separate from adults and in conditions that take account of the child’s sex and age.” All these things are very well anchored in our Constitution under the Bill of Rights. There are many challenges that our children face when we come to medical issues. This is an area where children are most vulnerable either due to poverty or lack of access to a medical facility. We are grateful for the provision of free maternity care because that has come in very handy to help right from the child’s birth. However, I would wish to urge that Government moves further and provides for free medical attention of children. This can be done progressively. We can have free medical attention for children under five years and we go progressively to children under 12 years until we attain universal healthcare. 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."
}