The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County has been upgraded to the status of a parastatal body.

This significant change elevates the hospital’s role and capacity, allowing it to operate with greater autonomy and access to resources under Kisumu County.

JOOTRH CEO Richard Lesiyampe announced the parastatal status yesterday, months after Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o made the passionate appeal.

Nyong’o has been keen on having the largest referral facility in Nyanza transformed into a parastatal.

According to a gazette notice dated August 30, 2024, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is set to transition its current board and hospital management team into a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA).

This transition is part of the hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness as a leading healthcare provider.

Becoming a SAGA will provide JOOTRH with greater flexibility and autonomy in its operations, allowing for more streamlined decision-making and resource management.

This change is expected to improve service delivery, support the hospital’s expansion plans, and bolster its capacity to offer specialized care as a Level 6A facility.

The move aligns with the broader goal of strengthening the hospital’s role in Kenya’s healthcare system and ensuring it can meet the increasing demands of the population.

Yesterday, Lesiyampe and County Minister for Health Gregory Ganda disclosed that the National Government has awarded JOOTRH parastatal status.

“As a parastatal, JOOTRH is expected to improve its service delivery, expand its healthcare services, and enhance its ability to train medical professionals,” he said.

This upgrade also positions the hospital to better serve the region and potentially become a centre of excellence in healthcare, education, and research.

New era for healthcare

The move reflects a broader effort to strengthen the healthcare system in Kenya, ensuring that critical facilities like JOOTRH meet the growing health demands.

Lesiyampe called on the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to increase the daily bed reimbursement rate from Ksh 3,500 to Ksh 4,500 per day.

He highlighted that JOOTRH is now functioning as a Level 6A facility, offering specialized care and advanced medical services.

The request for a higher reimbursement rate is intended to reflect the elevated status and the increased costs associated with providing specialized care there.

“This adjustment would help JOOTRH sustain its operations and continue delivering high-quality healthcare services to its patients,” Lesiyampe said.

He noted that JOOTRH is now operating as a Level 6A facility, providing specialized care and services.

JOOTRH recently renewed its license from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB).

Ganda said this renewal further solidifies its position as a leading healthcare provider in the country.

“This renewal is a significant milestone, particularly as the hospital has been designated as a National Teaching and Referral facility, aligning with its Level 6A status,” the medic said.

The renewed license underscores JOOTRH’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services and its role in training medical professionals.

“As a Level 6A facility, JOOTRH is now equipped to offer specialized care, conduct advanced medical research, and provide education and training to healthcare workers,” Lesiyampe, a former Principal Secretary said.

This development enhances the hospital’s ability to meet the healthcare needs of the region and strengthens its role as a critical player in Kenya’s healthcare system.

Lesiyampe has outlined ambitious plans for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), including expanding its bed capacity to at least 760 beds.

The facility expansion is crucial for meeting the growing healthcare demands of the region, allowing the hospital to serve more patients and offer a wider range of specialized services.

With the hospital’s new status as a parastatal and a Level 6A facility, the JOOTRH board, led by Ms. Doris Ombara, has been granted greater operational autonomy.

This autonomy empowers the board to make critical decisions regarding the hospital’s organizational structure, as well as to implement rewards and sanctions to ensure effective management.

The increased independence is expected to enhance the hospital’s efficiency, enabling it to better fulfil its mandate as a leading national teaching and referral facility.

The gazette notice announcing the parastatal status highlighted JOOTRH’s significance as the oldest and most developed medical facility in the region, serving a catchment population of over 10 million people.

It also approved the hospital to provide Level 6A hospital services, pending necessary statutory confirmations.

As a parastatal, JOOTRH will now operate as a government entity handling referrals from within and outside Kisumu County.

It will also continue to play a vital role in training doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in collaboration with institutions of higher learning.

In addition to its core services, JOOTRH plans to expand its healthcare establishment by establishing specialized centers for oncology, neonatal paediatrics, surgery, and radiology.