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"id": 917374,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/917374/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13131,
"legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
"slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
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"content": "(PIMS) is handled properly. Many Kenyans are suffering or their health is getting complicated because, for example, if they go to Machakos General Hospital, are treated and given certain drugs, they feel that it is not enough so they come to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi and they tell the doctor a different story. So, there is no record of the drugs and treatment regimen the person has been on. You might find that many people are getting drugs that they are either allergic to or do not work well for them. We must have a digitized card and use technology to make sure that, for example, if Sen. Wambua is unwell and he goes to whichever public hospital in this country, the doctor can just check on that card and know that Sen. Wambua was treated for “a”, “b”, or “c” and the drugs he has been on and prescribe drugs for him. We must take health seriously. It is the most important devolved function. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in 2016, I had dreams of being a governor. The biggest part of my manifesto when I had that dream was something I called Sakaja Care. This is because I calculated that Nairobi had 486,000 households below the poverty line, but with Kshs2.5 billion annually with that card, they would get medical attention in any public hospital. However, today, if you look at the budget, we are running in this county and in many counties, a lot of money is used on wastage and trips yet healthcare is the most important function. That money would go to the dispensaries and primary level healthcare outlets, for example, Mbagathi and Mama Lucy hospitals, to make sure that they are run properly. Everyone in Nairobi would have the Sakaja Care card and use it in any public hospital. In fact, with the help of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), we can achieve it. Universal healthcare is one of the biggest pillars. However, it cannot be done unless we put our money where our mouths are. I know that my county assembly has today walked out because of bursaries. However, I urge them when they come down to look at their budget, because we brought to them close to Kshs17 billion, to put proper amounts of money for healthcare in Nairobi. In Pumwani Maternity Hospital, there is a white elephant project that has stayed for years. However, if we dealt with it, we would reduce congestion in Pumwani Maternity Hospital. In Mathare North, there is an almost 300 bed capacity structure that has stayed idle for years. However, if we dealt with Mama Lucy Hospital and many other hospitals, we would be freed up. Therefore, I urge them and Senators to implore upon their county assemblies to allocate more resources to health because health is a devolved function and the most important. Health budgets are done at the county. Therefore, Senators should build the capacity and implore upon Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to allocate more resources when it comes to healthcare at the primary level. I congratulate Makueni County which gave a presentation to the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA) on what they have been able to do even before Universal Health Care (UHC) was launched as part of the Big Four Agenda Programme by the President. They have made sure that their facilities, drugs and personnel are taken care of. I congratulate them. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, we cannot talk about the health management system, referral system and the drugs without touching on the personnel who will do this 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."
}