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"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
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"content": "at the time of writing this Report. Accordingly, as the Covid-19 Disease outbreak situation evolves, the Government’s response evolves with it. Some of the Committee’s observations and recommendations on the thematic area may by necessity be reviewed and we will continue. That is why you gave us a six-month mandate coupled with a one-week reporting requirement. For the current situation, however, and in relation to this thematic area, we observed that - (1) Kenya is likely, still in the initial stage of the Covid-19 Disease outbreak. While consensus on the country’s modeling projections is yet to be conclusively arrived at, according to submissions made by the Ministry of Health, Kenya stands at risk of losing up to 30,000 lives during the peak face of the outbreak unless strict adherence to the recommendations and the directives by the government on hygiene and containment measures; that is our exposure. However, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, and according to the Ministry of Health as well, the projected alarm on deaths attributed to Covid-19 Disease can be significantly be reduced by proper adherence to the recommended government measures and maintenance of strict hygiene standards. I am happy when you insisted that one of the Members in the House adhere to these very simple rules that have been set out, therefore, our good. (2) While there are some disparities in the level of preparedness amongst counties, most counties remain largely unprepared to meet the demands of this pandemic. According to several health workers’ representative groups who appeared before the Committee, most counties still lack adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); have poorly equipped isolation and treatment facilities; and, have not facilitated adequate COVID-19 training and sensitization for their health workers. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in our meetings, we spoke to the nurses and clinical officers in different parts of the country; not just in Nairobi but where they are in hospitals. Many of them expressed fear. They are afraid that they are exposed and are not trained enough. Nevertheless, some counties, for example, Mombasa, Makueni, Marsabit, Machakos, Kisumu, Laikipia, Kiambu, Isiolo and Kisii have been singled out by the Ministry of Health for having made laudable progress in initiating and implementing their specific county response plans; (3) The Government has made commendable progress in ensuring universal access through commitments to meet the costs of treatment for COVID-19 patients at public hospitals and by demonstrating willingness to fully cover COVID-19 patients in a proposed Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) benefits package; This is something that we will continue to follow up. (4) The Committee further observes that enhanced utilization of telehealth/telemedicine services will have a significant impact on enhancing access to specialist services, addressing existing disparities in access to care and promoting quality affordable care. However, regulations, protocols and guidelines necessary for the delivery of these are pending completion and publication by the Ministry of Health and the Kenya 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."
}