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{
    "id": 912871,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/912871/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "and matatus transport systems. Needless to say, these are systems we cannot do without. We do not have a proper public transport system. However, the side effect of it is the major cause of deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, most of these deaths are of young people as studies have shown in this county. In fact, in Thika, a study was done not long ago, which showed that 98 per cent of the people who die from matatu road accidents are young men below the age of 30 years. We cannot afford to lose such young people. Road traffic accidents are a major factor in health. In fact, it is part and parcel of the non- communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. In countries that have tamed communicable deceases like malaria and typhoid, this becomes a major morbidity problem. Legislation will definitely work. The previous speaker talked about the Michuki rules. I was in the Ministry of Health then. We could demonstrate clearly with data of admissions at hospitals along the highways. When the Michuki rules were complied with, there was a significant reduction in the number of people admitted and those who died from road traffic accidents. So, there is no doubt that if we abide by traffic rules, we will not only save people’s lives, but we will also reduce our spending on health. In other countries, road traffic rules are considered part of the data for heath. In fact, they have data like the number of people found drunk while driving, which is a significant health matter. The number of drivers who are found drunk while driving and the number of drivers who are found without licences is data that is used for health planning. The number of riders without helmets is useful data. People take the issue of helmets for granted. Both the rider and the passenger take helmets for granted, but it is probably one of the biggest causes of deaths in accidents involving motorbikes due to head injuries. In fact, in some countries, motorbike riders are referred to as “organ donors” because they have severe head injuries and they die while the rest of their bodies are still okay. In those countries, they actually gather their organs for transplants. We do not want to get into that."
}