Kisumu and Nyanza’s healthcare landscape is set to undergo a major transformation with the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to a state corporation.
This Cabinet-approved transformation promises to revolutionise healthcare delivery, bringing critical resources and government support to enhance services, modernise equipment and expand specialised care, particularly in cancer treatment and cardiovascular health.
Dr Richard Lesiyampe, CEO of JOOTRH, said the elevation is a culmination of years of hard work and determination.
“With this new status, we will have the government’s backing to modernise equipment, expand services and provide world-class care to the people of Kisumu and beyond,” he said.
This historic elevation signals the start of a new chapter, with JOOTRH poised to become a regional leader in healthcare, providing more specialised services, improving clinical outcomes and enhancing the quality of care available to the local communities.
With new facilities and critical services on the horizon, this transformation marks a major step forward for healthcare in the lake region.
The move to a state corporation, Lesiyampe said will bring with it critical support from the government, including funding to improve clinical outcomes, particularly in cancer management.
JOOTRH is also looking forward to expanding its services, including adding radiotherapy and cardiovascular care.
“What we are waiting for is to see it in the gazette notice and the legal notice documents signed by the President thereafter we start the journey of transition, in terms of reviewing the issue of resource envelope dealing with human resources and investing in other additional specialised services so we can support our community,” he said.
Plans are underway to open additional facilities, such as a new hospital in Kosao, which will extend the hospital’s reach and service capacity.
“We intend to continue expanding our services. We have expanded our services in the prime care centre. We have also been given the authority by the county government to open a hospital in Kosao, which will further expand our services. We have opened Victoria hospital in Milimani to support our communities in that part of the town,” Lesiyampe said.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who called the elevation a “major step” in strengthening healthcare, thanked the hospital’s leadership for their reforms, which have led to vast improvements in services at JOOTRH.
“My government will continue to support and nurture JOOTRH in the capacity-building needed for effective service delivery,” he said.
