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{
    "id": 926956,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/926956/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 202,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Ali",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. First, I stand to give my condolences to the families of the MP for Kibra Constituency and the Governor for Bomet County. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bills No.9 of 2019) be read a Second Time. The aim of this Bill is to amend the Cancer Prevention and Control Act No.15 of 2012 in order to align it to the Constitution and bring medical services touching on cancer closer to the people. To achieve this, the Bill seeks to provide a framework for collaboration between the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCIK) and county governments, outlining the specific roles of county governments in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of cancer. Globally, cancer causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria combined. Cancer is a burden in low and middle income countries. In our country, cancer accounts for 70 per cent of the global cancer burden. In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death and second among non-communicable diseases, accounting for over seven per cent of the overall mortality rate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, despite these alarming statistics, the prioritisation of prevention, screening and early detection of cancer as provided for under the Cancer Prevention and Control Act of the National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022, cancer screening and early detection services are not available at the primary healthcare level. Facilities offering cancer treatment and palliative care are mainly available at the national level and a few private hospitals. Hence the reason for mass movement of cancer patients to foreign countries in search of treatment. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, whereas cancer can be manageable, in Kenya, more than 70 per cent of patients diagnosed with it are at advanced stages, with high incidents of misdiagnosis and inadequate screening hindering early detection. The challenge posed by the lack of adequate cancer screening, treatment and palliative care is a huge burden, which we must address as a country with the urgency it deserves. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, our Constitution provides for two levels of Government; the national Government and county governments. This system of governance was intended to bring power as well resources and services closer to the people. Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, health is a devolved function. County governments are responsible for establishment and management of county health services. The Health Act provides that county governments are responsible for among other things financing and further development, staffing of health facilities, procuring 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."
}