{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138461","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138459","results":[{"id":1401011,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401011/?format=json","text_counter":172,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. (Prof.) Tom Odhiambo Ojienda, SC","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the responses given. The only follow-up question would be for the Cabinet Secretary to explain to the House the intended processes that underline the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act. Also, whether there are frameworks that have been put in place to ensure that the repeal of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Act 1998 will not affect the Kenyan population, those who have been beneficiaries of the framework or the processes under the Act."},{"id":1401012,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401012/?format=json","text_counter":173,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Kathuri","speaker_title":"The Deputy Speaker","speaker":{"id":13590,"legal_name":"Murungi Kathuri","slug":"murungi-kathuri"},"content":" Hon. Cabinet Secretary, you can answer that."},{"id":1401013,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401013/?format=json","text_counter":174,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Nakhumicha","speaker_title":"The Cabinet Secretary of Health","speaker":{"id":520,"legal_name":"Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi","slug":"reginalda-nakhumicha-wanyonyi"},"content":" Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and Hon. Members. Indeed, the Ministry has a process for implementing the Social Health Insurance Act. For starters, the Ministry did gazette a transitional committee that has experts to ensure a seamless transition from NHIF to Social Health Authority. The committee has been sitting for the last three months. It has developed a roadmap on what needs to be done in terms of implementation. Additionally, the Ministry worked on regulations for operationalising the Social Health Insurance Act. Indeed, the regulations were already approved and gazetted. So, we are in the process of finalising with the transitional committee to ensure that all matters are taken care of. I want to assure the House that one thing that the transitional committee The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1401014,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401014/?format=json","text_counter":175,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Nakhumicha","speaker_title":"The Cabinet Secretary of Health","speaker":{"id":520,"legal_name":"Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi","slug":"reginalda-nakhumicha-wanyonyi"},"content":"is ensuring is that Kenyans should not notice that there has been a change from NHIF to Social Health Authority. The services that are being provided will continue until the time that the Social Health Authority takes over from NHIF. One of the things that they are doing is auditing the existing assets and liabilities, so that the Social Health Authority can take them over. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, and Hon. Members, I want to confirm that we have an ongoing process; we have a roadmap. The transitional committee is working. As a Cabinet Secretary, I meet with them every two weeks, so that I get apprised of the process. Our intention and plan is that from the 1st of July, we shall have completely moved to Social Health Authority. Thank you."},{"id":1401015,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401015/?format=json","text_counter":176,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Kathuri","speaker_title":"The Deputy Speaker","speaker":{"id":13590,"legal_name":"Murungi Kathuri","slug":"murungi-kathuri"},"content":" Thank you. As I guided, Hon. Senators, we shall stick to this particular question and not touch on the strike. We will allow the Cabinet Secretary to update the Senate and the country after this question. Proceed, if you have a different angle, Sen. Mumma."},{"id":1401016,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401016/?format=json","text_counter":177,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Mumma","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity. Welcome, Madam Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Nakhumicha, to the Senate. My question is related to the repeal of the NHIF Act. You have explained the good intentions and the plans you have in place to have a smooth transition to the new system. Many Kenyans are still paying NHIF, but not receiving services. We have many Kenyans whose NHIF cards are not being honoured in many hospitals and are stranded. Are you aware of that? What are you doing about it?"},{"id":1401017,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401017/?format=json","text_counter":178,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Kathuri","speaker_title":"The Deputy Speaker","speaker":{"id":13590,"legal_name":"Murungi Kathuri","slug":"murungi-kathuri"},"content":" Proceed, Hon. Cabinet Secretary."},{"id":1401018,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401018/?format=json","text_counter":179,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Cabinet Secretary of Health","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. Nakhumicha)]: Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, and Sen. Mumma. Yes, I am aware that Kenyans are still paying NHIF. The intention is for payments to be continued and to ensure access to services. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to take responsibility that for sure, there has been disruption, but not a stoppage of services. The disruption of services is because of the unpaid claims by NHIF to health facilities. This has been occasioned by a delay in Exchequer releases to NHIF. However, I want to confirm together with the Ministry that we have been having engagements with most of the facilities that are around the faith-based facilities. We have had a meeting with the rural health providers and the private providers and committed that they should continue to provide services because the claims will be honoured. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, and Hon. Members, I would like to inform the House that due to the transition, it is natural that most of the facilities would be a little bit unsure whether their claims are going to be paid or not. Some are taking that drastic action of not providing services, but as a Ministry, we are continuing to engage them. As I said earlier, one of the things that the transitional committee is doing is verifying the claims, assets and liabilities of NHIF. I want to assure facilities that there is no cause for alarm. They do not need to disrupt facilities. Once they have provided services and their claims have been verified and reconciled, they will be paid once resources are available. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."},{"id":1401019,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401019/?format=json","text_counter":180,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"The Cabinet Secretary of Health","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"I submit."},{"id":1401020,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1401020/?format=json","text_counter":181,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Kathuri","speaker_title":"The Deputy Speaker","speaker":{"id":13590,"legal_name":"Murungi Kathuri","slug":"murungi-kathuri"},"content":" Thank you. Proceed, Sen. Chute Mohammed."}]}