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"id": 927063,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/927063/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherargei",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I was making a critical point that the President, whom we believe in, should declare cancer a national disaster, so that we put more focus and energy on it. I agree with the Council of Governors (CoGs) on that. The proposed new Section 22A states that county governments should be part of the process by providing screening, counseling and palliative centres. When a person is under palliative care, they need the support system of the community and family members. How do we ensure that we provide for the welfare of the people? The other day, we conducted a fundraiser for a person in Simbi. However, he later passed on because of lack of palliative care. In Kipkorio, Nandi County, there is prevalence of throat cancer. These are some of the challenges. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we need to agree on the way forward with regard to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). I am aware that there has been clamour whether or not to go for GMO. As a country, we must make a decision. When you go to Western Countries, there are organic foods and GMOs. As a country, what way should we agree on? Should we legislate? The NCI or the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kasarani should come up with proper mechanisms to assist us on which way to go, especially on the issue of GMOs. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have heard people say that cancer was detected on them at Stage Four, which is too late. Is this a systemic problem or that of our hospitals, for example, Kakamega Referral Hospital or Kapsabet County Referral Hospital? Does it mean that our hospitals do not have capacity to detect and diagnose cancer at an early stage that can be cured? This issue must be relooked at. The county should be involved in training. As I conclude, I call on my colleagues to agree with these amendments. We call upon the Cabinet Secretary (CS) in charge of Health, Ms. Cecily Kariuki. We have not seen any policy that has been generated by the Ministry of Health. The counties only control Kshs3 billion. However, in the Fourth Schedule, the national Government has been given Kshs96 billion. So, it has more money. What is the Ministry, through the CS, Cecily Kariuki, doing to ensure that they come up with a policy on how to guide the country? Yesterday, I saw on national television that even in the local dialects, people are discussing cancer. Therefore, the Ministry should give guidance and direction to Kenyans. They should work with Parliament and assist us to come up with a way forward. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those many remarks, I thank you, for your indulgence."
}