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{
    "id": 813186,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/813186/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
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    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion- AWARE THAT Article 43(1) of the Constitution provides that every person has a right to the highest attainable standards of health, which includes the right to health care services; NOTING THAT cases of mental illness are on the rise with one in four Kenyans likely to suffer from a mental disorder at some point in their lives, coupled with the fact that many Kenyans with mental illness do not receive adequate treatment; CONCERNED THAT the World Health Organization has ranked Kenya sixth among African countries with the highest number of depression cases; DEEPLY CONCERNED that there exists internal inequities in the distribution of the already low numbers of mental health workers in Kenya with the available professionals being concentrated in cities leaving rural area with very few professionals, if any; FURTHER CONCERNED THAT, delivery of mental health services is facing a myriad of challenges, key among them inadequate and understaffed rehabilitation facilities and outreach programmes leading to the provision of insufficient mental healthcare services at the psychiatric units; NOW THEREFORE the Senate calls upon the National Government in collaboration with the County Governments to- 1. increase the number of specialized well equipped mental health facilities and develop effective outreach and other mental health programmes targeting Kenyans in remote areas and learning institutions; 2. increase the allocated mental health budget to ensure there are adequate funds targeting this specific area; and 3. develop initiatives to encourage more Kenyans to pursue and specialize in psychiatry and build the capacity of community health workers and staff in mental health facilities through continuous training. Madam Temporary Speaker, the reason I brought this Motion is because I feel that mental health disorders are a national disaster, and this is informed by various issues. Many Kenyans do not understand the issue of mental health because of the stigma that is placed upon the illness. Madam Temporary Speaker, mental illness canvasses also. In fact, in my research, I have come to learn a lot about mental health that I did not know. If I did not know, yet I have access to information, then I believe that a lot of Kenyans do not understand what exactly is canvassed as mental health. The statistics alone are very scary from what I have read. In Kenya, where health is devolved, we have only 14 mental health facilities. Similarly, we only have 88 psychiatrists and 427nurses who are qualified 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."
}