Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, visited Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to oversee preparations for its transition to a national corporation.

This move follows the Cabinet’s approval on March 11, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s evolution into a fully nationalized facility.During the visit, Dr. Oluga assessed critical areas including service delivery, staffing, infrastructure, equipment, and financial obligations to ensure a seamless transition to national management. These efforts are informed by prior evaluations by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Council (KMPC) and the Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority (KHPOA), which classified JOOTRH as a Level 6A facility.

Dr. Oluga emphasized the government’s commitment to introducing key medical services, including radiotherapy and cardiology, at JOOTRH—two specialties currently unavailable. He also highlighted the urgency of completing the hospital’s Cancer Centre to minimize the need for patient referrals to other facilities like Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) for radiotherapy treatment.

In addition, the Principal Secretary outlined plans to enhance maternal and child health services, neonatal care, training, and research capacity at JOOTRH. Addressing the withdrawal of USAID funding and the regional disease burden, Dr. Oluga assured the hospital leadership that the national government would bridge financial gaps. He also confirmed that JOOTRH would benefit from the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) structured financing model, which contributes up to 90% of the hospital’s revenue.

The transition, grounded in Article 187 of the Kenyan Constitution (2010), aims to be fully realized by June 30, 2025. As part of the process, JOOTRH is set to undergo public participation within the next 14 days before the issuance of a formal legal notice to finalize the change.Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CEO of JOOTRH, expressed the hospital’s readiness for this historic shift while emphasizing the need for additional nursing staff and expanded medical services.

Dr. Gregory Ganda, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, applauded the decision, describing it as a long-anticipated vision for Kisumu and the wider region.Dr. Oluga was warmly received by Dr. Ganda, Acting Board Chair Festus Achilla, and JOOTRH’s executive team. The visit signifies the government’s strategic focus on strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing regional medical infrastructure.