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Debra was faced with many questions but the only answer she could give was 'It is going to be a consultative approach'.
- On retention of dead bodies and recovered patients until money is paid to hospitals, she also used the same word consultation.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
It will be a consultative Approach!
This was the lingering answer that Health Cabinet Secretary nominee Debrah Barasa kept giving the MPs during her vetting on Thursday.
Debra was faced with many questions but the only answer she could give was 'It is going to be a consultative approach'.
Consultative approach is defined as partnering with others to produce optimum results and simultaneously build trust and commitment.
This concept embodies the spirit of the quality management profession and provides a mechanism for a collaborative process that increases the chances of success.
"How would you deal with the gaps facing the shift from National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)?" a question was posed to her.
Her response was, "My approach is a consultative one. It is critical to bring all stakeholders together. We also need to involve the community and ensure they are well-informed," she said.
On her opinion on health in relation to the devolved government, she answered:
"Again, a consultative approach. I believe we need to involve the County and National governments to have open dialogue and come up with interventions. We need to conduct a situational analysis and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats," she said.
On retention of dead bodies and recovered patients until money is paid to hospitals, she also used the same word consultation.
"So strategically thinking we need to consult and see what are the gaps and then involve treasury," she answered.
When the leader of the Majority Kimani Ichungw'ah asked how Barasa, if approved, was going to curb theft witnessed in NHIF by both public and private medical practitioners and lower cost of healthcare, she said:
"First of all, my approach is a consultative approach involving the multiple stakeholders," she said.
The same term was used when Kathiani MP Robert Mbui asked Barasa on how she will eradicate corruption in the health ministry if appointed as its CS.
"Again, a consultative effort. It is important that we think strategically, involve the various stakeholders, the Nationals Technical Working Group, the PSs and DGs to conduct a situational analysis and see where the gaps are," she said.
At some point, a point of order was raised where she was asked to stop talking about her continued use of the phrase consultative approach.
"What is your opinion nominee minister? If you say consultative what's your opinion as the leader? You support or you don't even support before you do your consultation," Pokot South MP David Pkosing asked.
"What is your mind? You are running away from being personal. But what exactly is consultative approach? We want to get your suitability. You. Not a group but you."
She had been asked for her opinion on the National Health Service Commission, which she said she later said she supported.
"As part of the doctors' fraternity, I support the creation of the health commission," Barasa said.
Matungulu MP Stephen Mule also raised question with the use of the term, saying the committee was interested in her opinion and plan on transiting.
He said he wanted to hear about her management skills taking into consideration that the Health Ministry is made up of departments and members who will look up to her leadership.
"I want to hear how you will transit from that set mind of thinking and no wonder you are telling us every time consultation. Here it is whereby the law applies. The law which is applying at KEMSA is not the same law which is applying with the doctors," Mule said.