Published: March 11, 2026 | Courtesy: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH)
KISUMU – The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is poised for a major transformation over the next three months, backed by a Sh300 million investment in new medical equipment aimed at elevating clinical outcomes and expanding access to specialized care.
The announcement was made during an Executive Committee and Heads of Department meeting this morning, where CEO Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise outlined an ambitious roadmap for the region’s premier referral hospital.
💰 Sh300 Million Equipment Upgrade
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Investment | Sh300 million |
| Timeline | Next three months (Quarter 2, 2026) |
| Purpose | Address critical equipment gaps |
| Process | Department heads to submit prioritized equipment lists |
Dr. Okise directed department heads to identify and submit prioritized lists of essential equipment that would have the most immediate impact on service delivery, ensuring that funds are directed where they matter most.
🏥 Key Clinical Initiatives
🚑 Accident & Emergency Theatre
Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Dedan Ongonga proposed the establishment of a fully functional theatre within the Accident and Emergency Unit, enabling:
✅ Immediate life-saving surgeries
✅ Reduced transfer times for critical patients
✅ Enhanced emergency response capacity
🏨 Decentralized High Dependency Units (HDUs)
HDUs will be decentralized and established within various departments to:
✅ Increase patient access to specialized care
✅ Reduce congestion in central ICU
✅ Provide step-down care closer to patients
👶 Obama Children’s Hospital Renovation
| Upgrade | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Dedicated hematology room | Specialized care for pediatric blood disorders |
| Replacement of all hospital beds | Improved patient comfort and hygiene |
💻 Digital Transformation: Telemedicine & Afya Ke
In a bold move toward modernization, Dr. Okise urged staff to embrace the Afya Ke system, revealing that JOOTRH is preparing to launch telemedicine services, following the successful model established in Murang’a.
“We will map our clients and engage lower-level facilities in areas with high patient density. By setting up virtual clinics, our consultants can attend to patients remotely. This increases access to specialized care and allows our clients to repurpose the money they would have spent on transport to JOOTRH for other essential needs.”
— Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise, CEO, JOOTRH
Telemedicine Benefits:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Remote Consultations | Patients accessed from lower-level facilities |
| 💰 Cost Savings | Transport money redirected to other needs |
| 📍 High-Density Areas | Targeted outreach to patient clusters |
| 👨⚕️ Specialist Access | Consultants reach more patients virtually |
| 📊 Patient Mapping | Data-driven service delivery |
The telemedicine initiative will initially focus on patients requiring specialized clinics and scheduled consultant reviews.
👥 Human Resources: Staff Transition Progress
Dr. Ongonga provided an update on staff grading and compensation as JOOTRH nears the end of its structural transition:
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| 17-tier county structure | ✅ Transitioned |
| 13-tier parastatal structure | ✅ Now operational |
| Basic salaries approval | ⏳ Awaiting SRC approval |
| Updated allowances | 📋 Board meeting scheduled soon |
🏛️ The Big Vision: JOOTRH as a ‘Medicity’
Dr. Okise concluded the meeting with a bold and inspiring vision for the institution’s future:
“Soon JOOTRH will be a Medicity.”
What ‘Medicity’ Means:
| Aspect | Vision |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Regional Hub | Attract patients from across Western Kenya and beyond |
| 🏥 Comprehensive Services | All specialized care under one roof |
| 🎓 Teaching Excellence | Training the next generation of healthcare professionals |
| 🔬 Research Center | Advancing medical knowledge |
| 💡 Innovation | Pioneering new treatments and technologies |
📊 Transformation at a Glance
| Area | Investment / Action |
|---|---|
| 💰 Equipment | Sh300 million for critical gaps |
| 🚑 A&E Theatre | Fully functional emergency operating theatre |
| 🏨 HDUs | Decentralized across departments |
| 👶 Obama Children’s Hospital | Hematology room, new beds |
| 💻 Telemedicine | Virtual clinics launching soon |
| 👥 Staff Structure | Transition to 13-tier parastatal complete |
| 🏛️ Long-Term Vision | Medicity status |
🚗 Supporting JOOTRH’s Mission with Reliable Transport
As JOOTRH expands its services and embraces telemedicine, reliable transport remains essential for patients who still need to visit the facility. Afrivibe Rentals is proud to support healthcare access across Kisumu.
We offer:
🏥 Patient transport – caring, punctual, and comfortable
🚕 Cab services across Kisumu City
👥 Staff transport for hospital personnel
📍 Point-to-point travel to JOOTRH and other facilities
🚗 Car hire with experienced chauffeurs
👉 Book Your Ride via WhatsApp
📞 Call/SMS: 0710899460
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A healthier Kisumu. A smoother journey.