The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County has achieved a significant milestone by being upgraded to a Level 6 facility.
This new status means the hospital will now function as a state parastatal, handling referrals not only from Kisumu County but also from the wider Nyanza region.
According to a recent statement from Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, the CEO of JOOTRH, this upgrade is a major development for the hospital. It marks the beginning of a new phase in which JOOTRH will enhance its administrative and clinical services to better serve the community.
As a Level 6 facility, JOOTRH will provide specialized care and advanced medical services that were previously unavailable.
One of the immediate changes following the upgrade is the hospital’s plan to expand its bed capacity. JOOTRH aims to increase its capacity to at least 760 beds.
This expansion is intended to meet the growing healthcare demands of the region and improve patient care.
Dr. Lesiyampe has also called on the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to adjust the daily bed reimbursement rate. Currently, the NHIF reimburses Ksh.3,500 per day per bed.
However, with the hospital’s new status and the advanced care it will provide, Dr. Lesiyampe has requested an increase to Ksh.4,500 per day. This adjustment will help cover the costs associated with the specialized services JOOTRH will now offer.
The elevation of JOOTRH to a parastatal was officially announced in a gazette notice dated August 30, 2024. This notice also outlined that the hospital’s management will transition to operate as a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA).
This change is expected to give JOOTRH more operational flexibility and improve its ability to manage resources effectively.
This upgrade is a significant step forward for healthcare in the Nyanza region. It is expected to enhance the quality of medical care available to residents and provide a much-needed boost to the region's healthcare infrastructure.
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