Kisumu: Kisumu County Government has set aside Sh80 million from the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP) this year for the construction of new inpatient facilities, enhancement of departmental linkages, and improvements to traffic flow and movement within Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH).
According to Kenya News Agency, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o announced a master plan for KCRH that includes a new diagnostic centre being developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This centre is halfway to completion and is projected to be finished within three months, aiming to offer specialised services like CT scans and MRIs locally.
The national government plans to construct a 250-bed Mother and Child Hospital at KCRH, with groundbreaking expected in two weeks. Nyong’o noted that KCRH has become the main referral hospital for the county following the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to a Level 6A facility.
The governor inaugurated the Boards of Management of KCRH and Victoria Sub-County Hospital in his office, highlighting their expanded roles within the county’s health system under the Facilities Improvement Financing (FIF) Framework. Victoria Hospital is set to become a major cancer centre while remaining a county facility.
Nyong’o explained that Victoria Hospital will focus on sickle cell disease management, newborn screening, and early cancer detection. The facility will coordinate a countywide program to identify patients early and facilitate referrals to specialised care.
On cancer care, the county will focus on early detection through the Chun Jeong-eun Nyong’o Cancer Centre, launched last week at Victoria Hospital. Nyong’o stressed that JOOTRH, KCRH, and Victoria are complementary institutions within one health system, each serving distinct roles.
The governor emphasized professional, transparent, and accountable management of the facilities, with patients at the centre of service delivery. The boards will provide strategic oversight, scrutinise budgets, strengthen accountability, and mobilise partnerships and resources.
County Executive Committee Member for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Gregory Ganda stated that the new KCRH board would implement a master plan developed by the previous board, initially focusing on inpatient and diagnostic services before establishing an outpatient centre.
At Victoria Sub-County Hospital, the focus will be on sickle cell disease management, newborn screening, and early cancer detection. The newborn screening program will be expanded countywide, with coordination from Victoria.
Ganda said the Chun Jeong-eun Nyong’o Cancer Centre will be established by December, focusing on early cancer detection and specialised services. He assured that existing sickle cell services would continue during the transition.
Victoria will continue receiving operational support from KCRH until it establishes its bank account and management structures. The county government will provide initial investment to enable the facility’s expanded role.
