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{
    "id": 807667,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/807667/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 155,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Then came the mobile clinic initiative that was meant to supply custom made containers to be used as mobile medical clinics in the counties. To date, despite the supplier having been paid fully, the mobile clinics are gathering dust and rust in Mombasa. Why this is happening, even the Ministry of Health cannot explain. The report to the effect that the mobile clinics market value is Kshs525 million yet the Government paid almost Kshs1 billion is depressing. Kenyans were then treated to the longest industrial action of doctors and nurses in 2016/2017. Surprisingly, the Ministry of Health ignored this core function of providing policy guideline and timely resolutions of the strike. It is during that time that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) leaders were arrested, sentenced and sent to prison while the real culprits plunder and execute corruption deals at the Afya House. During the time of the strike, in my county visits, I met and saw the real suffering that majority of Kenyans went through as Government hospitals were abandoned by doctors and nurses. This is inhumane to say the least. However, devolution has worked in some areas with homegrown solutions to the local problems. For instance, in my neighbouring Kakamega County, the Oparanya Care has improved the general health of newborn babies and their mothers by providing stipend and ensuring a hundred per cent prenatal and postnatal clinic visits. Makueni County Government has also rolled out a universal healthcare programme which is now a benchmark for other counties. This shows that county governments have the potential to provide lasting homegrown solutions to their specific unique local problems, which is the actual essence of devolution. The current arrangement between the Kenya Government and Cuba to have 120 doctors in Kenya for two years is a waste of resources; both human and financial. As it is the norm with the Ministry, the details of the contract are scanty and it is a one-size-fits- all. Verily, this might turn out to be another white elephant that will fail miserably. How and why our country which is experiencing one of the highest unemployment rates in the region can offer jobs to expatriates at exorbitant salaries and other allowances yet thousands of our own trained doctors are unemployed is perplexing. I believe we need to employ specialists but they will only be effective in a proper, well equipped working environment and probably in the referral facilities. The main reason given for failure of leased medical equipment is the lack of necessary infrastructure in terms of buildings, lack of trained personnel and lack of maintenance services. In reality, counties have wasted close to Kshs25 billion in this scheme. I call upon this House to step in and prevent the planned wastage. I believe the Senate, the Council of Governors (CoG) and Members of County Assemblies (MCA) have given the national Government a leeway to first usurp the constitutional mandate of counties in managing the health sector and to disorganize and promote wastage of public funds in the name of improving healthcare services. We need to rethink the saga of wholesomely importing doctors from Cuba without consideration of all factors. It begs the question; why has the Government not made such arrangements for the three referral hospitals in the country? 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."
}