The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has significantly upgraded its services with the launch of a new Accident and Emergency Unit, advanced dialysis machines, and a comprehensive five-year strategic plan. Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr. Mathews Owili presided over the triple launch, marking a major step towards establishing JOOTRH as a leading healthcare provider in Kenya.
The newly refurbished Accident and Emergency Unit, now the largest in the region, occupies the former outpatient department. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to revolutionize emergency care, providing swift and specialized treatment for critical cases. Dr. Owili emphasized the unit’s life-saving potential, noting its crucial role in improving health outcomes.
Beyond emergency care, JOOTRH is strengthening its position as a referral center. Dr. Gregory Ganda, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, highlighted the importance of technology in streamlining referrals, advocating for virtual specialist appointments to reduce patient travel.
Dialysis patients also received a significant boost with the commissioning of seven new Online HDF dialysis machines. This doubles the hospital’s capacity and places JOOTRH among the few facilities in Kenya offering this advanced technology. HDF dialysis provides more comprehensive blood purification, reduces anemia, and improves cardiovascular stability, dramatically enhancing patients’ quality of life.
Looking ahead, JOOTRH’s 2024-2029 strategic plan outlines a patient-centered approach to healthcare. Key pillars include community engagement through outreach health centers like Kosawo Hospital for primary care, Holo Hospital for mental wellness, and Victoria Annex for sickle cell care. The plan also focuses on expanding specialized services, including new clinics for dialysis, diabetes, ENT, cardiovascular care, and radiotherapy. Furthermore, it addresses leadership and governance, operational excellence, and financial sustainability.
JOOTRH Board of Management Acting Chair, Festus Achila, praised the strategic plan, particularly the focus on community needs through facilities like Victoria Annex and Kosawo Hospital. A representative from the Kisumu County Health Assembly lauded Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, JOOTRH’s CEO, for his leadership and vision, and emphasized the ongoing efforts to elevate JOOTRH to a national parastatal.
Dr. Lesiyampe expressed gratitude to the County Government, partners, and staff, highlighting the hospital’s trajectory towards becoming a national parastatal and a center of excellence. He also revealed plans for a comprehensive cancer center and bone marrow transplant unit.
Serving a catchment area of over ten million people across 14 counties, JOOTRH’s latest initiatives represent a significant advancement in accessible, responsive, and affordable healthcare for the region.
