Medical facility eyes level six status with Sh400m facelift

When it opened its doors to the public in 1969, JOOTRH was tipped as a model healthcare facility. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Kisumu county government has embarked on the renovation of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) at a cost of Sh400 million. 

The infrastructural improvements, which have already begun, are aimed at raising the facility's status to level six. 

When it opened its doors to the public in 1969, JOOTRH was tipped as a model healthcare facility, and for decades, it has lived up to this billing.

The health institution has defied odds and controversies, including frequent staff strikes as well as perennial drug and blood shortages, to position itself as an iconic health facility in the region.

According to the hospital's management, the ongoing work is meant to position the hospital as a premier medical centre in the region.

The facility's Director of Finance and Administration Alex Ochieng said they are optimistic the facelift will also attract more partnerships with research institutions and medical schools from the region and beyond.

Construction of a comprehensive cancer centre worth Sh150 million is ongoing. Close to Sh18 million will be spent on expanding the surgical unit.

The medical department will also be expanded to accommodate an additional 80 beds at Sh28 million.

Doctors' suit

Ochieng said the project is expected to be complete by December 2021. However, he said, the launch of the new surgical ward, mortuary, and doctors' suit will be done before the end of the year.

“The doctor's suit which will cost Sh8 million will accommodate 20 doctors. This will ensure they are always available to attend to patients seamlessly," Ochieng added.

The facility serves patients from Nyanza, lower Rift Valley, and Western regions.

“These are the reasons we have to expand so that we cover the regions effectively. With the current capacities we are overwhelmed,” he noted.

Ochieng further noted that the facility will also give priority to sickle cell disease treatment.

"We are setting up a molecular lab where tests will be carried out on those willing to know their chances of giving birth to children with sickle cell. The burden of this disease is huge yet there is very little intervention,” Ochieng explained.

Increase capacity

County officials led by the facility’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Okoth and Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said the process of having the teaching and referral hospital acquire Level Six status is already underway.

“We have already started the process of ensuring that the facility is upgraded to Level Six to improve the number of services it is offering,” said Okoth.

Plans are also underway to increase the facility's bed capacity from the current 500 to more than 1,000 beds. 

"Upgrading the facility will come with huge costs but this will help improve its output,” said Okoth.