Kisumu: The transition of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) into a state parastatal has entered an advanced phase, with the Ministry of Health team finalising processes to operationalise its elevation to a Level 6 national referral facility. A high-level delegation led by Director General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, is in Kisumu for a three-day working visit aimed at overseeing the hospital’s structural and administrative realignment. The mission is part of a broader plan to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare referral network, particularly within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).
According to Kenya News Agency, the transition marks a defining moment in the country’s journey toward equitable, quality healthcare delivery. Dr Amoth emphasised that JOOTRH must operate at the same level of excellence as other prominent national facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Ministry is currently conducting a pre-feasibility study to assess the hospital’s readiness for its new mandate, evaluating technical, financial, environmental, and social parameters to guide future expansion and investment planning.
Dr Amoth stressed that the upgrade is a transformational process meant to enhance clinical operations, infrastructure, research, and governance, not merely a cosmetic or administrative exercise. He highlighted the Ministry’s priority to ensure the transition impacts health outcomes, specifically aiming to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates across the region. The Director General noted that JOOTRH’s evolution is unique, being the first hospital to transition from county management to a national referral level, unlike other Level 6 institutions established as national facilities from inception.
During the visit, the Ministry team is evaluating the hospital’s human resource capacity, diagnostic equipment, and infrastructural gaps to identify priority areas for investment. The findings will inform a comprehensive transition roadmap detailing funding needs and implementation strategies. Dr Amoth reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting JOOTRH’s full transformation, describing it as a flagship model for future hospital upgrades in Kenya.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Joshua Okise, welcomed the Ministry’s continued support, noting that the transition will significantly improve governance, efficiency, and service quality. He added that once fully operational as a national parastatal, JOOTRH will help decongest major referral hospitals in Nairobi and broaden access to specialised services such as oncology, cardiothoracic, and vascular surgery, reinforcing the region’s role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In recent months, the hospital has made notable strides, including the establishment of a cardiothoracic and vascular surgery unit and the successful completion of complex surgical procedures, underscoring its growing capability to handle advanced medical cases.
