The expansion comes as JOOTRH steps up efforts to strengthen its position as a major referral, teaching and research institution

State Department for Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga when he visited Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. With his is acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joshua Okise/HANDOUT

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has expanded specialised healthcare services in its paediatric and adult medical divisions in a move aimed at improving access to advanced treatment in western Kenya.

The Kisumu-based hospital said the additional services would complement the wide range of specialised and general healthcare services already available at the facility.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joshua Okise said the expansion was part of the hospital’s efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and bring specialised treatment closer to patients.

“The additional services form part of our continued commitment to improving access to quality healthcare,” said Okise.

The enhanced paediatric services include emergency and critical care, haematology, cardiology, gastroenterology and neurology.

In the adult medical division, the hospital will place greater focus on specialised neurology and gastroenterology services.

According to Okise, the initiative is intended to facilitate timely access to specialist consultations and treatment while reducing avoidable referrals to healthcare facilities outside the region.

The hospital recently unveiled a long-term expansion blueprint that seeks to transform the facility into a 2,000-bed regional referral and teaching hospital to meet growing demand for specialised healthcare, medical training and research.

The proposed development, whose feasibility study and master plan were presented to the hospital’s Executive Committee, will be implemented in phases.

The first phase will involve constructing a modern eight-storey hospital with a capacity of 500 beds and specialised facilities to strengthen its referral and teaching mandate.

The planned facility will feature medical and surgical wards, a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit, a 20-bed High Dependency Unit, a renal support centre and a 28-bed Accident and Emergency complex.

It will also include 20 operating theatres, specialised outpatient clinics, a physical rehabilitation centre and a 15-station dental unit.

Additional infrastructure will comprise radiology, laboratory and physiotherapy departments, administrative offices, solar energy installations, water storage facilities and a rooftop helipad to support emergency response.

The second phase will add another 600-bed hospital alongside supporting infrastructure, including a Doctors’ Plaza and expanded clinical support services.

Further developments outlined in the master plan include staff housing under the Affordable Housing Programme, expanded training and research facilities, a modern logistics centre, additional parking and improved traffic management within the hospital complex.

Once all phases and associated developments are completed, JOOTRH is expected to have a capacity of 2,000 beds.

Okise said the long-term plan would support the development of an integrated medical hub capable of delivering specialised treatment while advancing medical education and research.

“The hospital is committed to realizing the first phase of the development by 2030, as part of efforts to strengthen specialized healthcare services and cement JOOTRH’s position as a leading referral, teaching and research institution in the region,” he said.