Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has been elevated to a Level C5 parastatal.
The announcement was made on Monday, September 15, by Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga during a visit to the facility.
Speaking after confirming the facility's new status, Oluga said it comes with both privilege and heavy responsibility.
Although the legal transition from county to national institution is still underway, he emphasized that the change must already be evident in day-to-day operations.
Oluga added that the elevation is intended to strengthen the hospital’s ability to attract and retain top medical talent and be financially independent.
Read More
"You are no longer a county government hospital," he stated, urging the management to embrace the shift in mandate.
Oluga added that the National Treasury has signaled a major policy change, revealing that national referral hospitals will no longer receive tax-based funding within the next five years.
Instead, facilities like JOOTRH will be expected to sustain themselves.
"Revenue is a key pillar in our hospital reform," he added.
Oluga went on to outline several avenues that the hospital must explore including clinical research.
He urged JOOTRH to go beyond being a passive participant in externally led projects and to generate its own initiatives that not only improve patient outcomes but also serve as significant revenue streams.
Oluga challenged the institution to embed grant-writing into its core activities so as to directly secure programmatic funding that would traditionally flow to non-governmental organizations.
He also decried the shortcomings in medical training across the country, pointing out that only 36 percent of patients currently receive correct diagnoses and interventions.
Beyond the financial model, Oluga insisted that the hospital’s new strategy must focus on workforce well-being, patient care, and community health.
He urged the management to prioritize patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and better patient experiences rather than being overly focused on equipment or administrative processes.
He further emphasized that JOOTRH should not only treat disease but also play a proactive role in prevention.
Oluga closed his address by calling on JOOTRH specialists and consultants to take a more active role in mentoring junior staff and building institutional capacity.
"This facility is expected to change the story of health in this region," he said.
This comes a year after the facility was elevated from a government entity to a parastatal under the County Government of Kisumu.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o directed the JOOTRH board of management to operational autonomy in the general management and administration of the facility based on the constitutional and statutory principles of integrity, good governance, professionalism, and public accountability.
He also instructed the Board to take steps to enhance its governance functions, to consider the promulgation of its rules and regulations, to create or review a Board Charter, and to exercise all other powers under its authority as may be necessary.
Nyong’o noted that the freedom and autonomy enjoyed by the Board shall extend to its mandate to establish necessary partnerships, associations, trusts, and joint ventures with corporations and groups or other organizations in pursuit of its mission in line with constitutional principles.
He mentioned that the directives shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of funding as by law provided.
Further Nyong’o said the elevation of the medical facility is not intended to create any right of benefit.
"This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the County Government of Kisumu, its agencies, entities, officers, employees, agents, or any other person," the executive order issued in November 2024 read in part.
