Kisumu’s JOOTRH announces specialised care to meet rising healthcare demand

By Correspondent

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has launched speciliased medical services at the health institution to help in managing the rising demand for healthcare.

Through a directive issued by the institution’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Josua Okise, caregivers, patients, members of the public and referring health facilities have been notified of the additional services in the pediatric and medical divisions of the referral facility.

“These services compliment the wide range of specilised and general healthcare services already available at the Hospital. And form part of our continued commitment in to improving access to quality healthcare,” said Dr. Okise.

Pediatric services that the hospital has now heightened include emergency and critical care, haemato0Onclogy, cardiology, gastroenterology and neurology. Adult medical specilised services to be placed under focus include adult neurology and gastroenterology.

According to Dr. Okise, the introduction of these services is intended to bring specilised healthcare closer to patients, facilitate timely access to healthcare expert consultation and treatment, and reduce avoidable referrals to facilities outsuse the region.

Since its elevation to a parastatal level, the hospital has been ststegising on how to improve its services by priroridtising patient care. Recently they unveiled an ambitious long-term expansion blueprint that will transform the Kisumu-based facility into a 2,000-bed regional referral and teaching hospital, significantly boosting specialized healthcare services in western Kenya.

The proposed upgrade, whose feasibility study and master plan were presented to the hospital’s Executive Committee (EXCOM), will be implemented in phases and is designed to address growing demand for advanced healthcare, training and research services in the region.

According to the master plan, the first phase will involve the construction of a modern eight-storey hospital with a 500-bed capacity and a range of specialized medical facilities aimed at strengthening the hospital’s referral and teaching mandate.

The facility will include medical and surgical wards, a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a 20-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU), a renal support centre, a 28-bed Accident and Emergency complex, 20 operating theatres, specialized outpatient clinics, a physical rehabilitation centre and a 15-station dental unit.

The development will also incorporate key diagnostic and support services, including radiology, laboratory services and physiotherapy departments, alongside administrative offices.

To enhance operational efficiency and emergency response, the rooftop will accommodate solar energy infrastructure, water storage facilities and a helipad.

The second phase of the project will add a further 600-bed capacity hospital and supporting infrastructure, including a Doctors’ Plaza and expanded clinical support services.

Once all phases and associated developments are completed, JOOTRH is expected to attain a capacity of 2,000 beds, positioning it among the largest referral and teaching hospitals in the country.

The master plan also outlines broader infrastructural developments, aimed at supporting the hospital’s future growth.

These include construction of staff housing under the Affordable Housing Programme, expansion of training and research facilities, relocation of selected support services, establishment of a modern logistics centre, enhanced parking facilities and improved traffic management systems within the hospital complex.

Dr. Okise said the proposed developments are intended to strengthen healthcare delivery, while creating an integrated medical city capable of supporting specialized treatment, medical education and research.

“The hospital was committed to realizing the first phase of the development by 2030, as part of efforts to strengthen specialized healthcare services and cement JOOTRH’s position as a leading referral, teaching and research institution in the region,” said Dr. Okise.

The planned expansion comes as the hospital continues to position itself as a key referral facility serving millions of residents across western Kenya and neighbouring counties, amid rising demand for specialized medical care and training services.