The National Assembly of Kenya is almost at loggerheads on the proposed Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill. Lawmakers had a heated exchange on setting up a new regulatory authority.
Proponents of the bill described the body as an effective means to regulate the health sector, increasing patient safety and combating the medical negligence issue. They believe that the bill will establish definite standards, the accreditation processes and the patients’ rights will be stronger.
Opponents against the bill forming the new entity say it will be another way of taxing the already heavily burdened, stating that the institution’s functions are being performed by the existing ones.
They cautioned that the move might lead to role duplication and overstrain of the limited resources. However, those supporting the bill argued that the proposed authority is essential to improving supervision of the health sector, making patient safety a priority and dealing with the increasing concerns of medical negligence.
They believe that the bill will set up defining standards, accreditation processes and tighter safeguards for patients’ rights. Parliamentary members, in the course of exchange of views, were divided, some as raising the fact that there are inefficiencies while others restated that it is necessary to bring to an end cases of misdiagnosis, wrong prescriptions and malpractice in the health institutions.
Although the differences are quite clear, the bill cleared its second reading and is going to the Committee of the Whole House where the members of parliament are expected to put forth and consider the amendments.
In the meantime, the legislators have a heated discussion on the Public Participation Bill which aims at making public engagement a point of law and that non-compliance with it shall be punishable.
The draft piece of legislation suggests a fine of KSh 500,000 for officials who do not engage the public in a meaningful manner, with county governments being the main target of this provision.
