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{
    "id": 981650,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/981650/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 51,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "terms of development towards healthcare to our people, we must admit that with devolution, we have seen strides. In the counties that are a bit more progressive, we have seen that citizens have begun to receive some relief. I know that the Universal Health Care Programme that is in Makueni is actually working. As you know, as Africans, when one relative is unwell, the entire community, village or extended family is also affected. So, we must continuously fund health issues. I know that it is possible and that it can work as it has been envisioned in the Constitution. I personally support the fact that health is a devolved function. I agree with Sen. Dullo on the fact that this House needs to crack the whip when it comes to matters of health. I feel that we need to do a lot more. When you follow the investigations, which are going on with regard to the MES and the corrupt deals that have taken place in the Health Ministry; your heart breaks. Millions and billions of shillings have been lost which could have saved the lives of Kenyans. We want all this money to be sent down to the counties and then we shall deal with the governors accordingly. This House really needs to rise to the occasion. I cannot speak about health without speaking on mental health. If you think that the health system is broken down, you should see what is happening with the mental health. I have been advocating for this since 2017 and, time and again, what we are seeing at the higher levels of mental health facilities, Level 4 and 5, they are still neglected to this day regardless of the promises that we get from the Ministry on improvement. I want to remind Senators here today that you cannot speak about health without speaking about mental health. Many of the issues that we have in hospitals of diagnostics and you read about this; in the last month or so when there was a certain hospital that was struck off health insurances because of unnecessary diagnostics. A lot of this, I want to remind Senators today, has to do with the fact that we are not recognizing the role of mental health. So, you patient is sent for diagnostics left, right and centre yet the issue that they are dealing with could be a mental health issue. That is why when this House passes the Mental Health Bill, we have to integrate mental health into the health care system because it will save Kenyans a lot of money that is being sent on diagnostics. I want to encourage Senators to remember that there is no health without mental health. As we push for reforms, we must insist that mental health also comes first. So, I want to congratulate Sen. Anuar for bringing this Statement. It is important to fight for your people. When you go back home, look at the mental health situation, I know that you are going to cry and start advocating for some change there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}