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{
    "id": 707974,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/707974/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wakhungu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1889,
        "legal_name": "Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu",
        "slug": "chrisantus-wamalwa-wakhungu"
    },
    "content": "For you to be one, you must have the technical expertise. When you read today’s Daily Nation headline, it features a medical quack who fortunately or unfortunately did a successful operation somewhere in the Rift Valley. He was in medical school, but never graduated, but he was employed. How was he employed for heaven’s sake? You can only employ someone who is qualified. When it comes to medicine, it is an area you cannot compromise. You need somebody who is qualified and has met the minimum threshold. That is why we have grading in the humanities like we have First Class and Second Class Honours, Upper Division, but we do not have such grading in medicine because the difference is like life and death. It is indeed important that the DMS must be a registered medical practitioner; somebody who understands policy and has a hands on experience. On training, we have had issues with internship. We know healthcare is a devolved function, but the national Government is involved in policy formulation. Training is under the national Government. That is why I agree with the Committee that internship is part of training to have a hands on experience. Indeed, it is important that the national Government should be in charge. We have seen these people doing very well. There should be honorarium to help these medical students who are on internship because the conditions of working 24/7 are hectic. This Health Bill has overstayed. It is important because it is like the Constitution when it comes to healthcare. It has come very late. We call upon this House to move with speed and pass it because we need this Bill now like never before. Some of the issues are okay and we agree with them, but those we do not agree with, as we have highlighted, should be resolved by the Mediation Committee that is going to be put in place. I thank the Departmental Committee on Health headed by Rachel Nyamai and my neighbour Hon. Pukose for the good work they have done. But they should stop shielding whatever problems you have in your Committee. Everybody is accountable. A parliamentary Committee in line with Article 125 of the Constitution can summon anybody anywhere. If at all, Hon. Rachel Nyamai said she did not do that, it is not correct. The Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and Principal Secretaries (PSs) must appear before this honourable House and answer whatever issues. Corruption is alarming, as we have heard. I pray for the respective Chairs so that they are not removed. The Vice Chair has told me that it is now water under the bridge. It has already passed. If you have been doing that, stop shielding people because I know the CS and PS have done good work and have the capacity and capability to appear before the Committee and defend themselves. With those few remarks, I support."
}