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{
    "id": 904828,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/904828/?format=api",
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    "content": "violence in Kigali, we looked at some of the interventions on mental illnesses in Rwanda. They have a population of traumatised citizens because of the genocide. When you do not deal with certain issues over time, they manifest themselves in a different way over periods of time. So, they have gone as far as making sure that every hospital offers psychosocial care for patients and people who may just need to have a conversation. They make sure that when people go back to the society, they reintegrate with the community and are accepted. They also monitor and do follow up. It is possible for us to achieve that as prescribed in this Bill. Lastly is to ensure that the rights of a person with mental illness is protected and safeguarded. I urge Senators to look at the clauses of this Bill. I am sure we will get different views, like we had during public participation, on how the rights of a person with mental illness should be safeguarded. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to highlight some of the clauses in the Bill. Clause 5 seeks to introduce Part 1A, which seeks to delineate the obligations with respect to mental healthcare services between the national Government and county governments. Specifically, the Bill seeks to have the national Government provide policy guidance on mental healthcare and mental health services at national referral hospitals. It also seeks to place county governments at the centre of provision of mental healthcare by requiring county governments to provide community-based care and treatment for mentally ill persons as well as provide mental healthcare treatment in the county health system from Level 2 through to Level 4 health facilities. This is also an area for debate because we got varied comments from stakeholders. I am looking forward to hear what the Senators will say. Clause 6 of the Bill seeks to introduce a new part on the rights of persons with mental illness. In particular, the Bill guarantees persons with mental illnesses the right to mental health services and the right to participate in treatment planning, protection from physical and mental abuse, social, sexual and other forms of exploitation. They will also have the right to exercise civil, political and economic rights; the right to access information and the right to confidentiality. That is also a critical part. I urge the Senators to look at this critically. I am sure we will have varied comments and input. Clause 7 seeks to reduce the membership of the Kenya Mental Health Board from the current 14 to 9 members. This is to increase efficiency and is also in line with the Senate‘s role as the protector of the interests of the counties. The Bill seeks to have the Council of Governors (CoG) nominate two persons with knowledge and experience in matters related to mental health; to ensure that counties have a say in the policies that originate from the Board. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 9 of the Bill seeks to amend Section 5 of the Act to align the functions of the Board with the requirements of the Constitution, which is very critical. This is by ensuring that the Board deals with policy and serves as a regulator for the two levels of Government, in conformity with the Constitution. It puts in place measures to ensure delivery of mental health services to the people."
}