By Manuel Odeny, @TheNyanzaNews
Nyong’o gazettes, elevates Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital to level 6 status, parastatal boosting health in Nyanza, Western region
By Manuel Odeny, @ManuelOdeny
Nyanza and Western Kenya region healthcare will receive a boost after elevation of Kisumu city’s of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to a Level 6 facility and its designation as a government parastatal.
This will cut costs of locals who have been seeking specialized referral services at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and the next nearest facility being Eldoret Teaching and Referral Hospital.
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.
The hospital will also be able to determine its organisational structure, rewards, and sanctions which will accelerate operations and specialized care.
In the notice, JOOTRH’s was noted 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 governor said.
“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 Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe hailed this milestone as pivotal in offering specialised care and services.
“The hospital is now implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance its administrative and clinical services,” he said.
Among issues to be implemented is a call for the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to increase the daily bed reimbursement rate from Sh3,500 to Sh4,500.
“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.
