Elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to a corporation has reached an advanced phase with the ministry of health team finalising processes to operationalise its elevation to a Level Six national referral facility.

A high-level delegation led by Director General for Health Patrick Amoth is in Kisumu for a three-day working visit aimed at overseeing the hospital’s structural and administrative realignment. The mission is part of a broader plan to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare referral network, particularly within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).

Dr Amoth said the transition marks a defining moment in the country’s journey toward equitable, quality healthcare delivery.

“JOOTRH will not just be known as a Level Six facility, it must operate as one,” he said. “We must ensure it delivers the same level of excellence as Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.”

The ministry is currently conducting a pre-feasibility study to assess the hospital’s readiness for its new mandate. The study will evaluate technical, financial, environmental and social parameters necessary to guide future expansion, resource mobilisation, and investment planning.

According to Dr Amoth, the upgrade is not a cosmetic or administrative exercise but a transformational process meant to enhance clinical operations, infrastructure, research and governance. “We are not just changing names or titles. We are changing how healthcare is delivered,” he stated.

He underlined the ministry’s key priorities is to ensure the transition directly impacts health outcomes, including reducing maternal and infant mortality rates across the region.

“This process must specifically contribute to reducing maternal mortality in the region. We also need updated data to make informed decisions, 2019 statistics cannot guide planning in 2025,” he noted.

The director general observed that JOOTRH’s evolution is unique since it is the first hospital to transition from county management to a national referral level, unlike other Level Six institutions that were established as national facilities from inception.

During the visit, the ministry team is evaluating the hospital’s human resource capacity, diagnostic equipment and infrastructural gaps to identify priority areas for investment. The findings will inform a comprehensive transition roadmap detailing funding needs and implementation strategies.

Dr Amoth reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting JOOTRH’s full transformation, describing it as a flagship model for future hospital upgrades in Kenya.       

“JOOTRH must become a true centre of excellence for the region and the country,” he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Acting Chief Executive Officer Joshua Okise welcomed the ministry’s continued support, noting that the transition will significantly improve governance, efficiency and service quality.

“This process will help us strengthen specialised units, expand training and research capacity and attract more resources to support advanced healthcare,” Okise said.

He added that once fully operational as a national parastatal, JOOTRH will help decongest major referral hospitals in Nairobi, broaden access to specialised services such as oncology, cardiothoracic, and vascular surgery, and reinforce the region’s role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In recent months, the hospital has made notable strides, including the establishment of a cardiothoracic and vascular surgery unit and successful completion of complex surgical procedures, underscoring its growing capability to handle advanced medical cases.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara