Seniors out, juniors in as county shakes up medics

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. Its CEO has been moved in the changes. [File, Standard]

There is unease in public hospitals in Kisumu following mass transfer of medical workers and the demotion of several senior administrators.

Among those affected by the transfers is the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Dr Peter Okoth who has been moved to the Kisumu County Hospital (KCRH ) as a dentist.

Dr Okoth has been replaced by Roseline Omolo, who has been elevated from a senior administrator at the same facility.

The transfers which has generated heat at the county government and in health facilities, affected 22 medics, accountants and administrator at the JOOTRH, the county and sub-county hospitals.

Before rising to CEO, Dr Okoth deputised Dr Juliana Otieno in the same position.

Another significant demotion is that of KCRH medical superintendent Francis Ayugi, a senior director of medical services, to a regular surgeon at the same facility.

Their new roles were clothed as service need, which simply means they are regular doctors, practicing their fields of specialty.

In the reshuffle, a number of clinical officers were promoted to manage sub-county hospitals  as medical superintendents or medical officers of health (MOH), positions hitherto held by medical doctors.

The memo affecting the whole county was stamped and signed by the County Chief Officer for Health Stephen Sewe.

“May the officers affected be released to their new stations and their release and arrival letters reach this office as soon as possible,” read the memo.

An MOH is senior to a superintendent in the hierarchy. Whereas the latter is in charge of a sub- county facility, the former manages all health facilities in that sub-county.

The changes come barely a month after a new Health Executive Prof Judith MIguda-Attyang' took office with a pledge to overhaul the system and align it with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s universal health coverage dreams.

Ayugi’s replacement, Thadaeus Massawa, has also been promoted from a similar position at Kisumu County Referral Hospital.

The JOOTRH’s Finance department has also been affected by the changes. Senior accountant Olivia Adhiambo has been redeployed to Muhoroni.

Other demotions are those of Festus Ogada from a senior pharmacist in Kisumu East to service need at JOOTRH.

Those promoted include Dr Rosebella Amihanda who moves from a dental officer in Muhoroni to MOH Nyando.