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{
    "id": 707992,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/707992/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 128,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Ghati",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 856,
        "legal_name": "Dennitah Ghati",
        "slug": "dennitah-ghati"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker for the opportunity to talk about health. First, I thank the Committee for these recommendations. I also thank the Senate. Health is a human rights issue. It has been seriously enshrined in the Constitution. So, it is an issue that is very critical both for the national Government and county governments. It sometimes pains that even though we discuss matters health here, the Ministry of Health is engrossed in a number of allegations of misappropriation and misuse of funds. We know very well that the Ministry of Health is yet to account for several allegations that have been made against it. The allegations range from stealing money meant for the sick, maternity provisions to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. What are we talking about here? We need to be serious about matters health. A healthy nation is a prosperous economy. We cannot talk about health in our counties when our national Ministry is in problems and cannot account for the millions of shillings lost. There is also the issue of tenders meant for ARVs. I agree that even though we have this Report before us, we still have a lot of loopholes and serious issues at the county level that we need addressed. It is unfortunate we have these problems despite the fact that we send millions of shillings to county governments. We are all aware that since devolution, our counties have not been well equipped to deal with the issue of maternity which is a devolved function. In fact, maternity in this country is free. However, we have counties where mothers go to hospitals to deliver and they die at the door step. To me, I consider a county where a woman gets into labour and dies at the door of a hospital a failed county. There are several counties that cannot even talk about drugs. We also have hospitals whose shelves are empty. They do not have basic drugs and essential requirements needed in a hospital. To me, those are failed counties. A county hospital that cannot provide for the health of its people is a shame to that county. A county hospital that can also not look at the issue of gloves or even basic drugs such as Panadol and Piriton is a shame to that county. Hon. Deputy Speaker, even though maternity is devolved, we, at the national level cannot leave the entire task of healthcare to counties. This is because we have a role to play as the national Government. The Report is very clear that our role is to provide policy at the national level, so that the implementation is left with a governor. As much as health is devolved, it is a function that is shared at the national level at some point. Therefore, the issue cannot entirely rest with a governor of a county. We have a responsibility in this House to ensure that we check on how counties are doing. This Report also raises the issue of Health Human Resource Council (HHRC) at the county level. This is a plus. There are counties that cannot fund their qualified medical personnel. So, these counties go out there to fish for external people to come and work in their hospitals. This is very wrong. This Report and, especially, the recommendation on the HHRC, is a plus even to my county, Migori. We do not import medical personnel in Migori. It is clear that this Council will ensure that all the people who work as medical personnel are well trained. It will also offer opportunities to our young students who go to universities and colleges to attend internships. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we need to seriously look at this issue of internship. Students in colleges and universities should be allowed to enjoy internship and gain the experience they need within their counties. That way, they will be in a position to provide personnel that is required. 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."
}