Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital elevated to level 6 status

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Kisumu's healthcare services have received a significant boost with the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to a Level 6 facility and its designation as a government parastatal.

JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe hailed this milestone as pivotal, noting that the hospital is now implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance its administrative and clinical services.

As he announced the parastatal status, Dr. Lesiyampe urged the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to increase the daily bed reimbursement rate from Sh3,500 to Sh4,500. He emphasised that JOOTRH now operates as a Level 6A facility, offering specialised care and services.

"The hospital plans to expand its bed capacity to at least 760 beds, ensuring it can meet the region's growing healthcare needs," Dr. Lesiyampe said.

Recently, JOOTRH renewed its license from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB), further solidifying its position as a leading healthcare provider and a national teaching and referral facility. This designation aligns with its Level 6 status and underscores its commitment to providing high-quality care and training for medical professionals.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o noted that the elevation of JOOTRH to parastatal status fulfills a promise he made.

In a gazette notice dated August 30, 2024, Nyong'o highlighted that the new status grants the JOOTRH board, led by Doris Ombara, greater operational autonomy in managing the hospital's affairs, including determining its organisational structure, rewards, and sanctions.

The gazette notice also underscored JOOTRH's significance as the oldest and most developed medical facility in the region, serving a catchment population of over 10 million people. The hospital will continue to play a vital role in training doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in collaboration with institutions of higher learning.

"The recurrent board and hospital management team will transition into a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA), overseeing both administrative and clinical services," the gazette notice stated.

JOOTRH plans to expand its healthcare services, including oncology, neonatal pediatrics, surgery, and radiology, among others. Upgrading JOOTRH to a Level 6 facility is also expected to alleviate the financial burden on Kisumu County, as 70 percent of the hospital's resources currently come from the county.

The upgrade will increase the hospital's access to national resources, enabling it to better serve the region.

This development comes just months after former Health CS Susan Nakhumicha inspected the facility alongside other leaders from Kisumu and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDC).

During the visit, Nakhumicha committed to expediting the process of elevating the facility to Level 6, following calls from Seme MP James Nyikal and Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili, who emphasized the critical need for enhanced services in the region.