Kisumu’s JOOTRH joins Kenya’s top-tier hospitals following cabinet approval

CHRIS MAHANDARA, KNA

The Cabinet has approved the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County to a national referral hospital.

The facility, popularly known as Russia Hospital, was previously managed by the County Government of Kisumu but has now become a state parastatal.

As a result, the hospital will be overseen by the Ministry of Health, a move expected to significantly enhance healthcare service delivery both in the region and across the country.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the Cabinet’s decision, stating that with its new status, JOOTRH will receive adequate resources to expand its services within the Lake Region and beyond.

He added that the county government has implemented various reforms over the years, improving service delivery and laying the foundation for the hospital’s elevation.

In a statement to the media, Nyong’o emphasized that his administration will continue supporting and nurturing the facility through capacity-building programs aimed at further enhancing service delivery.

JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe hailed the hospital’s upgraded status, calling it long overdue. 

He noted that the elevation places JOOTRH among the highest-tier medical facilities in the country, making it a critical player in the national referral system.

As a national referral hospital, he said, the facility will provide a wider array of advanced medical services, including specialized surgery, trauma care, and advanced diagnostics, addressing the needs of patients from across the country.

The state parastatal status, he added, will ensure more autonomy in the management and better access to government funding for infrastructure development and equipment acquisition.

Lesiyampe, who has been at the helm of the facility for one year, expressed gratitude, saying, “This is a monumental step for JOOTRH. The transition to a national referral hospital and parastatal will allow us to further enhance the quality of care, expand our capacity, and recruit more specialized medical professionals to serve the growing needs of our patients.”

The facility, he said, was grappling with a shortage of staff in different departments, adding that a team from the Ministry of Health is expected to arrive at the facility to fast track the transition.

The CEO revealed that with a bed capacity of 900, the hospital only has 954 staff, adding that the management will push to employ more specialists and nurses to bring the number to 2,500.