The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has officially transitioned from a county-managed facility to a Level C5 national parastatal, a rank previously exclusive to public universities.
The announcement was made on Monday by Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, who said the elevation must bring immediate and visible improvements.
“This hospital is expected to change the story of health in this region,” he said.
Dr. Oluga explained that the new status is designed to position JOOTRH as a hub for excellence attracting highly skilled health professionals, boosting innovation, and securing financial sustainability.
He revealed that within the next five years, national referral hospitals will no longer depend on tax-based allocations, meaning institutions like JOOTRH must diversify their income streams. Among the proposed strategies are clinical research, grant acquisition, advanced training programmes, and the creation of a state-of-the-art medical simulation centre that will both improve training and generate revenue.
The PS emphasized that the transition will not only be about systems but also about people. Staff welfare, patient safety, and proactive community health initiatives including follow-up care and aggressive prevention of common diseases will remain central to the hospital’s mission.
He further called on senior specialists to mentor junior staff, assuring that a new hospital board will be in place before the end of the month to oversee the transformation.
The upgrade marks a turning point for JOOTRH, positioning it as a model of healthcare innovation and leadership for the Lake Region and beyond.
