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{
    "id": 910990,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/910990/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 611,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Were",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13183,
        "legal_name": "Petronila Were Lokorio",
        "slug": "petronila-were-lokorio"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I would like to contribute to The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Amendment) Bill which has been sponsored by Sen. Seneta. This Bill seeks to provide collaboration between the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and county governments. Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, it is worth noting that health is a fully devolved function save for policy. Hospitals from Level 1, which is community based, to Level 5 are managed by counties. The success of the health sector will indicate to us the success of devolution. It is very important that we take health matters seriously, especially the issue of providing collaboration between KEMSA and the county governments in the provision of medical supplies. Any time people complain about the status of our health facilities, it is usually about the unavailability of drugs. Providing collaboration between county governments or our county health facilities and KEMSA is very important. The county government in this Bill has been given some authority to sit in the board of KEMSA. This is very important so that if there are any hiccups to be discussed about medical supplies to the counties, they can be ironed out at the decision-making level. Knowing that county governments are the key clients for KEMSA, it is important that they are at the decision-making table. This will also ensure a smooth service delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness. Having the county government through the Council of Governors represented on the board with two representatives, will also ensure that we are able to measure the impact of medical supplies and health. As mentioned earlier, the availability of medicine is the measure of the success of a health facility. If Kenyans go to a health facility and find appropriate quality drugs, then they are sure they are being attended to. They are sure that the health sector or the county government for that matter, is meeting their needs. KEMSA currently supplies medicine directly to health facilities. This needs some guidance in law. I would request Sen. Seneta to provide an amendment to this Bill, so that there is a system of connecting the county government, KEMSA and the particular health facility at whatever level, so that when KEMSA sends or delivers drugs to a health facility, the county government is aware. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}