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{
    "id": 917467,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/917467/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 336,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Milgo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13174,
        "legal_name": "Milgo Alice Chepkorir",
        "slug": "milgo-alice-chepkorir"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker, for giving me this chance to contribute to this Bill. It has come at the right time, when we have devolved units. If we pass this Bill, it will align KEMSA with the requirements of the counties. It is not good that health, a devolved function, is being controlled by the national Government. That is why KEMSA is still supplying medical equipment and drugs to the counties without regard of the necessary requirements. This has caused suffering to the health units in the counties, because KEMSA either delays to supply the drugs, or they supply expired drugs to the medical facilities. The expired drugs become a challenge to the counties because they are poisonous and cannot be used to treat diseases. Those drugs could also be the reason why we have illnesses such as cancer. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is unfortunate that we do have medical equipment that was procured by KEMSA, but they have not been put to use. Consequently, they are collecting dust because the Authority procured equipment that is not required by those counties. We also have cases where counties do not have staff who know how to use the equipment. Madam Temporary Speaker, Clause 5 of this Bill proposes for the representation of the CoG in the Board of this Authority, although I think there should have been more than two representatives from the CoG because they have a major interest in the Authority. Those representatives will be the voice of the counties and they will help in the procurement process. The medicine procured by KEMSA is usually very expensive, but when we allow the counties to deal with the procurement entities, they will be in a position to negotiate based on their abilities. The CoG should also be allowed to take part in the nomination of the Board members, other than having the national Government doing it alone. That is because the CoG will ensure that they nominate people who will serve them well. Decisions made in the Board affect the counties. Therefore, if KEMSA is left to procure on its own, it ends up being prone to corruption. That is why our people are still seeking for medical attention at the KNH and other national medical facilities. Madam Temporary Speaker, Clause 6 proposes to amend Section 19 of the Act, and it seeks to obligate the Authority to ensure that- “There is consultation and proper identification of the needs of the county government prior to such procurement.” That will go a long way in ensuring that the county governments have a say in the authority, and that they are able to deal with health units in a better way."
}