FRIDAY, 27 Nov – Wajir Senator, Sen (Dr) Abdullahi Ali has today said that consensus building is a much over-looked phase in the formulation of policy and legislation, yet its importance could not be gainsaid.

Addressing senior Ministry of Health Officials and the Health Committees of both Houses of Parliament at a milestone consensus building meeting on national issues and various pieces of legislation, Sen Ali lauded the Health Cabinet Secretary, Sen Mutahi Kagwe, for bringing together critical players in the health fraternity at a most difficult time of human existence brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our meeting here is happening against the backdrop of a looming strike by healthcare professionals, a second wave of infections spreading across counties, mounting concerns of the safety of frontline health workers and an evidently ailing economy,” observed Sen Ali, who is leading the Senate Health Committee delegation.

“The Senate is heavily expectant of candid conversations with practical solutions to move past these bleak situations.”

On his part, CS Kagwe reported that Ministry of Health had developed and reviewed various Legislations and Regulations in partnership with relevant stakeholders including Parliament, with the aim of safeguarding the public, ensuring access to efficient, effective, quality and safe healthcare services.

“There are 14 Acts, for instance, that create different Councils and Boards which therefore need to be addressed in an Omnibus amendment that we are proposing to deal with these ‘incestuous’ institutions,” the CS remarked.

Hon Sabina Chege, who is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health in the National Assembly assured the institutions present of the Assembly’s support on prioritizing legislation that will improve service delivery across the Health sector.

In addition to holding discourse on the scaling up of Universal Health Coverage and battling COVID-19 the two-day engagement forum shall also discuss and build consensus on the following proposed Bills and policy: The Health Law (Amendments) Bill 2020; National Health Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill 2020; Kenya National Blood Transfusion Bill, National AIDS Control Council (Amendment) Bill; The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (Amendment) Bill; and the Emergency Medical Care Policy.

Participants present at the meeting include: Sen Millicent Omanga, Sen Fred Outa, Sen Beatrice Kwamboka, Sen Beth Mugo, Sen Mary Seneta, Hon James Nyikal, Hon Beatrice Adagala, Hon. Mohamed Duale, Mohamud Sheikh, PS Susan Mochache, DG Health Patrick Amoth, among other Heads of Government Agencies and Departments under the MoH