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{
"id": 988104,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/988104/?format=api",
"text_counter": 94,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Murang’a CWR, JP",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Sabina Chege",
"speaker": {
"id": 884,
"legal_name": "Sabina Wanjiru Chege",
"slug": "sabina-wanjiru-chege"
},
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. On the institutions and companies approved by the Government to make masks in this country, we have the following: (i) Kicotec in Kitui County, which has a capacity of producing 300,000 masks per day; (ii) Foam mattresses, which is producing non-woven fabric for use in making masks; (iii) The National Youth Service (NYS), Gilgil, who are producing 300,000 to 800,000 masks per day; (iv) The National Prison Service, who are producing 300,000 masks per day; and, (v) Rivatex Industries, Eldoret, who are producing 600,000 masks per day. We also have institutions like Dedan Kimathi University and counties such as Meru, Murang’a and Kiambu that are also producing masks. On the issue of recommended retail prices for a single mask of a cloth type and N-95, as well as medical products and medical technologies in Kenya, there are no set minimum prices. However, the Ministry of Health (MoH) recommends that products used in control of COVID-19 pandemic, be declared essential goods under the relevant law so that we can enable the Government to set minimum retail prices. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Government has put in place the following measures to ensure that quality and effective masks are affordable and accessible by all members of the public: (i) Technical inspectors ensure that only masks that meet the standards are in the market through post-marketing surveillance and vigilance; (ii) Application for marketing and authorization of products for use in control of COVID-19 are evaluated by experts to ensure that the quality, safety and efficacy are followed; (iii) The Pharmacy and Poisons Board technical staff are out in the field to offer technical support to manufacturers of relevant masks; (iv) The Government has prepared a list of COVID-19 to be declared as essential commodities for purposes of price control; (iv) The Government has encouraged more local production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), with the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) being in the list of local manufacturers and in the process of producing masks, with the support of laboratory testing to ensure their quality. Members of the public are advised not to buy masks being hawked openly and are not in any kind of package. In addition, they are advised to avoid fitting the masks. We saw in the past members of the public doing so, which is very dangerous for them. They also must make proper use of the masks. It does not make any sense for anyone to have a mask placed on the head, below the chin or under the nose. The purpose of the mask is for your own protection and others. So, despite the distance, every time members of the public are out there, they are encouraged to wear the masks properly and make sure that they are covered from the nose to the chin. Hon. Deputy Speaker, Members were asking how you would know the right mask. If you blow a burning candle through a proper mask that has the three plies, it will not go off. If you have any form of mask on, be it the cloth type or one labelled ‘surgical’, if you blow a burning candle The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}