The Ministry of Health has initiated the process of assuming control over the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, responding to appeals from the local leadership for its elevation to a level six facility. This move aims to bolster the referral system within the devolved unit, enhancing healthcare delivery in the region.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha announced that a specialized team from the Ministry, along with representatives from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), has been dispatched to Kisumu to evaluate the hospital’s suitability for this transition. The goal of this inspection is to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the facility’s current status, paving the way for its integration into the national healthcare framework.
The County government has highlighted the hospital’s pivotal role as a regional referral center, offering critical services to over ten counties in the lake region. Despite its current level 5 status, the facility has been stretched thin, with the operational costs disproportionately burdening the Kisumu County government, as the benefits are region-wide yet the financial responsibilities are not shared.
The proposed upgrade and subsequent takeover by the national government is anticipated to align the hospital with other premier institutions such as the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital (KUTRH), ensuring a unified standard of care and operational efficiency. CS Nakhumicha emphasized the urgency of this process, citing the potential for enhanced funding and improved service quality. The facility, operational since 1969, stands to gain significantly from this change, addressing the longstanding challenges of resource allocation and service delivery.
Commendations for the initiative were voiced by Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and Seme Member of Parliament Dr. James Nyikal. They highlighted the hospital’s critical role in the regional healthcare system and its capacity to serve as a level six facility, given its extensive service coverage and role as an educational hub for medical students from Maseno University and Uzima University. The upgrade is seen as a crucial step towards completing the referral system in the Nyanza region, enhancing the quality of healthcare services available to the public.
This strategic move by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with local government officials, marks a significant milestone in the effort to improve healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in Kenya, addressing the complex challenges of running large healthcare facilities and ensuring quality care is accessible to all citizens.
Kisumu City News
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