Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has welcomed the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and referral Hospital(JOOTRH) to a State Corporation, calling it a major step in strethening healthcare services in the region.
Cabinet approved the decision in its meeting held Tuesday at State House, Nairobi.
"With its new status, JOOTRH will receive adequate resources to continue expanding its service delivery in the Lake Region and beyond", Nyongo said expressing gratitude to President William Ruto and the cabinet for the approval.
The govenor in a statement to the media also commended the hospital's leadership for spearheading key reforms that have improved services.
"I sincerely thank the JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Lesiyampe, his staff, the hospital’s Board of Management for undertaking various reforms that have improved service delivery in the institution exponentially."
Nyong’o assured continued county government support in enhancing the institution's capacity.
"My government will continue to support and nurture JOOTRH in the capacity-building needed for effective service delivery," he said.
The elevation of the facility, named after Kenya's first Vice President and located in the heart of Kisumu city, will put the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) at par with Nairobi's Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
JOOTRH was commissioned in 1969 and opened to the public in October of that year.
In 2024, the JOOTRH was designated as a Level 6 facility following a joint assessment by the Kenya Health Professional Oversight Authority (KHPOA) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) and the Nursing Council of Kenya.
The hospital boasts of specialised doctors, functional theaters, oncology services, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), teaching hospital status, laboratory services and pharmacy.
It also has has a 13-bed ICU, 11 operational theaters, including general, Accident and Emergency, three dedicated maternity theaters and offers adult and pediatric oncology services.
Despite the commendable infrastructural status that earned JOOTRH the upgrade, the inspection team noted various areas that needed improvement, including hiring more staff to match patient demand.
