Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has been elevated to a parastatal status to improve service delivery.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe says the hospital is implementing a comprehensive strategic plan and transformative management agenda to enhance its administrative and clinical services.
“I want to call upon the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to increase the daily bed reimbursement from Kes 3,500 to Kes 4,500 per day,” he said.
Further, he says JOORTH is now operating as a Level 6A facility, providing specialized care and services.
He announced that JOOTRH recently renewed its license from the Kenya Medical and Practitioners and Dentist Board (KMPDB) to solidify its position as a leading healthcare provider in the National Teaching and Referral facility.
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“This designation aligns with its Level 6A status and underscores its commitment to providing high-quality care and training medical professionals,” he said.
Similarly, he highlighted the hospital’s plans to expand its bed capacity to at least 760 beds, ensuring that it can meet the region's growing healthcare needs.
On his part, Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o opined that the new status grants the JOOTRH board greater operational autonomy in managing the hospital’s affairs, including determining its organizational structure, rewards, and sanctions.
The gazette notice announcing the parastatal status highlighted JOOTRH’s significance as the region's oldest and most developed medical facility, 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.
Additionally, the facility will continue to play a vital role in training doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in collaboration with institutions of higher learning.
