Hope for kidney patients as JOOTRH prepares for transplant procedures

CHRIS MAHANDARA- KNA 

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has announced plans to begin performing kidney transplants later this year to address the growing demand for renal care in the Lake region.

The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of patients on dialysis and the increasing pressure on health facilities in the area.

JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Richard Lesiyampe stated that with the facility’s elevation to a Level 6A National Referral Hospital, plans are underway to expand the renal unit and introduce kidney transplants to improve the lives of kidney patients.

The transplant services, he said, will be offered in collaboration with a consortium of highly skilled doctors and specialists from across the Lake region.

“We have highly qualified and experienced consultants in this region. That is why JOOTRH is partnering with specialists from Maseno University, other health facilities, and, if necessary, experts from other parts of the country to roll out this service,” he said.

He added that the partnership will bring together professionals to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care before, during, and after the transplant procedure.

Addressing the media in Kisumu during World Kidney Day celebrations, Dr. Lesiyampe emphasized that regional collaboration will also enhance knowledge sharing and skill development among healthcare workers, ultimately improving the overall quality of care in the region. 

“We are bringing together the best minds in the Lake region to ensure that kidney transplant procedures at JOOTRH meet the highest standards.

“This is not just about offering a service; it is about building capacity within our region to provide high-quality healthcare that can compete with the best in the country,” he added.

Currently, many patients in need of kidney transplants, he said, are forced to travel long distances to hospitals in Nairobi and outside the country, placing an additional burden on them both financially and emotionally.

“The introduction of kidney transplant services at JOOTRH will significantly improve access to life-saving treatments for patients suffering from kidney failure, who previously had to seek transplant services far from home.

This initiative will be a game-changer not only for Kisumu County but for the entire Lake region,” he said. He said the hospital has already begun preparations to ensure the successful launch of the transplant program.

These include setting up a specialized renal unit where 17 state-of-the-art dialysis machines have been installed. Additionally, the hospital, he said, has employed a nephrologist and a team of specialist nurses to run the unit.

Kidney failure, he said, is a big health concern in Kisumu and the neigbouring countries, with many people suffering from conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases which ultimately lead to renal failure.

“In Kisumu alone we have about 350 patients in renal care with 60 of them on dialysis at JOOTRH. This paints a picture of how the situation is in the region,” he said.