Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital upgraded to national status

KENYA – The government has elevated the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu to a national teaching and referral facility.

The decision, approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto, will transform JOOTRH into a state corporation, enhancing healthcare services and medical training in Kenya.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the move, emphasizing that the hospital will now receive more resources to improve service delivery in the Lake Region and beyond.

“I sincerely thank the JOOTRH CEO, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, his staff, and the hospital’s Board of Management for the reforms that have significantly improved services,” he stated. The governor assured continued county government support to strengthen the institution’s capacity.

The elevation places JOOTRH at the same level as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.

Established in 1969, the hospital was recently designated as a Level 6 facility following an assessment by the Kenya Health Professional Oversight Authority (KHPOA), the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), and the Nursing Council of Kenya.

JOOTRH provides specialized medical services, including oncology, intensive care, and surgical procedures.

It currently has 11 operational theaters, including general, maternity, and emergency theaters, as well as a 13-bed ICU. Despite its advanced infrastructure, the inspection team highlighted the need to hire more staff to meet increasing patient demand.

As a national facility, JOOTRH will now receive direct funding from the National Government, reducing reliance on county resources.

It will also play a key role in training healthcare professionals by collaborating with universities and medical colleges.

This upgrade is expected to ease congestion at other national referral hospitals, such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, by distributing the patient load more effectively.

Patients in Kisumu and surrounding counties will benefit from improved access to specialized treatment, reducing waiting times for critical care.

To support this transition, JOOTRH will acquire advanced medical equipment and expand its infrastructure, including new wards and modernized facilities.

The hospital will also gain more administrative independence, allowing it to recruit additional specialists and healthcare workers.

This upgrade aligns with the government’s broader strategy to strengthen healthcare services and reduce health disparities nationwide.

In addition to JOOTRH’s elevation, the Cabinet also approved the upgrading of several technical institutions, including the Siaya Institute of Technology and Bumbe Technical Training Institute, to national polytechnic status.