By Jeremiah Ongili and Beryl Okendo.
In keeping with its mandate of being a teaching facility, the management of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) held a sensitization workshop to equip new interns, volunteers, and attaches seeking to acquire practical skills relating to their respective fields of study.
Clinical practice/attachment is an integral part of various training course programs and is designed to provide students with an opportunity to integrate and apply acquired knowledge and technical skills in practical settings.
The objective of the training opportunity is to enable students to get hands-on experience as they are expected to work after they graduate.
The second objective is to provide an opportunity for students to apply the principles and techniques theoretically learned in real-life problem-solving situations and to develop student understanding of work ethics, employment demands, responsibilities, opportunities, and management.
The workshop was to shed light on codes of ethics they need to adhere to while undergoing their training at the organization. The codes would also enable the trainees to build a relationship with the organization.
The event presided over by Mrs. Nereah Ochieng, the human resources officer, oriented the trainees on the JOOTRH campus, highlighting the history of the institution to enhance knowledge and understanding of the facility.
“Good conduct is an enabler in teamwork, it entails official and decent dressing, polite language, positive attitude, and good customer relations.” Mrs. Ochieng said.
The Director of Finance, Mr. Alex Ochieng emphasized the vitality of integrity and adherence to the Human Resource Manual and procedure 2016 Act
Mr. David Onoka, the secretary at the training office highlighted matters of the attachment duration, available slots which are granted on a first come first serve basis, and student evaluation.
The CEO of JOOTRH, Dr. George Rae welcome the trainees too, “Make sure you work to create a smile on someone’s face”, he said admonishing them to engage in acts that will positively better lives.
“Make a positive impact on humanity, practice patience, it will take you a long way compared to malicious shortcuts.” He advised.
Dr. Rae urged the trainees to observe teamwork, be good listeners, eager learners, and do unto others what they’d like to be done unto them and encouraged them to be proud of being part of the JOOTRH workforce.
The deputy CEO Dr. Dedan Ongonga asked trainees to learn from them and exhibit a passion for their work.
“Your job should always motivate you to wake up every morning. If you find it difficult to wake up for work in the morning, then you should reconsider your profession.” He concluded.
Mrs. Eunice Gor from the Medical social work department asked the trainees to always stay alert for cases that require the intervention of the social workers.
The head of the public health department, Mrs. Rose Abuya emphasized the importance of safe disposal of medical waste around the institution. She talked about the four common types of waste normally at the hospital and the importance of following precautions when handling waste within the hospital.
Alice Adoma, in charge of Infection Control and Prevention, concurred with Rose Abuya and reiterated that sanitation is the first step toward the prevention of disease and infections.
She emphasized the fifth moment of hand hygiene before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings as recommended by the World Health Organization adding that the trainees should be a regular practice that so as make sure that both patients and clinical officers are in a safe environment.