Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu- Kakamega Road, Kisumu (2026)

13/07/2026

Five Years On, JOOTRH-CONSA Partnership Is Changing the Story of Sickle Cell Disease

Five years ago, most babies born with sickle cell disease in western Kenya were diagnosed only after developing life-threatening complications.

Today, thanks to a partnership between Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) through the Consortium on Newborn Screening in Africa (CONSA), hundreds of newborns are being screened early, allowing clinicians to begin life-saving care before symptoms become severe.

The CONSA project introduced routine newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Kisumu County through the installation of the Migele screening machine at JOOTRH. Building on the success of the project, the hospital integrated newborn screening into routine care, ensuring children diagnosed with sickle cell disease receive timely treatment and long-term follow-up at Victoria Annex.

Victoria Annex, JOOTRH's specialized sickle cell disease and hematology centre, provides comprehensive outpatient and inpatient services, surgical care, a 24-hour laboratory and pharmacy as well as advanced Red Blood Cell Exchange therapy. The facility also runs specialized paediatric sickle cell clinics and a structured transition programme that ensures adolescents seamlessly move into adult care, providing continuity of treatment throughout their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Molla Lolla described newborn screening as a game changer, saying early diagnosis enables timely interventions, including hydroxyurea therapy, before severe complications develop. She added that the programme has strengthened research, generated local evidence to inform policy and positioned JOOTRH to become a regional centre of excellence in sickle cell disease care.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Molla Lolla, with Dr. Ogweno Nyasoro representing the Director of Clinical Services and Dr. Julie Awuor leading presentations on the progress made at Victoria Annex. The visiting CONSA delegation comprised Dr. Bernard Awuonda, Dr. Alexis A. Thompson, Ms. Julie Kennedy-Lesch, Dr. Teresa Coetzer, Ms. Marie Benoit-Finch, Dr. Enrico Novelli, Phillip Okech, Evelyn Kibore, Donnela Adoma and Tereza Otieno, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening research, laboratory systems and comprehensive sickle cell care through continued partnership with JOOTRH.

13/07/2026

Same-Day Biopsy is Saving Lives in Kisumu.

For many women in Western Kenya, the discovery of a breast lump was once the beginning of a gruelling, months-long journey of uncertainty. Previously, patients faced an average wait of eight weeks to receive a formal diagnosis, often arriving at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) with advanced, stage 3 or 4 disease.

Today, the Kisumu Breast Cancer Project undertaken at JOOTRH is fundamentally changing that narrative. By implementing a "same-day core biopsy" initiative, the project is drastically reducing the path to diagnosis, ensuring that women from the region receive life-saving answers in as little as 21 days.

"Same-day core biopsy is a game-changer for us," says Dr.Albert Ng’ong’a, MD General Surgeon and lead
Kisumu Breast Cancer Project, "We try to reduce the number of visits that women have to make to hospitals before they get a diagnosis".

The urgency behind the project stems from a troubling trend observed by clinicians in the region. Unlike the global average, where breast cancer often appears in women aged 60 to 70, the team at JOOTRH is seeing a high volume of much younger patients in their 30s and 40s.

According to Dr. Ng’ong’a, the medical team is frequently encountering aggressive forms of the disease, specifically triple-negative breast cancer, which carries a higher risk of mortality.
"The majority of our patients, up to 75 percent, have either stage 3 or stage 4 breast cancer at the time we see them," Dr. Ng’ong’a explains. "So what that means is that we have high morbidity, but also we have high mortality rates of breast cancer compared to the Western world".

Since its inception one and a half years ago, the project has served as a lifeline for hundreds. It has facilitated 412 biopsies, resulting in 179 breast cancer diagnoses. The initiative acts not just as a diagnostic center, but as a navigator for patients who often lack health insurance and face significant socioeconomic barriers to care.

By streamlining the process, the project has successfully cut wait times from eight weeks down to approximately 21 days, with a future target of 20 days.

"The Kisumu Breast Cancer Project is really life-changing for me, and I believe for hundreds of women," says Dr. Ng’ong’a.
The success of the project is bolstered by strategic collaborations with the Africa Cancer Foundation—which is celebrating 15 years of cancer navigation in Kenya—as well as the Tiba Foundation.

As the project looks ahead, the focus is shifting toward deep community engagement. Through radio, television, and partnerships with community health workers, the team is working to dismantle the stigma and lack of awareness that prevent women from seeking help for painless breast lumps.

"The biggest for us will be awareness in the community," Dr. Ng’ong’a notes. "We are rolling out what we call clinical outreaches... the particular aim is to grow our own outreaches, particularly for breast cancer awareness creation and unfiltered diagnosis".

By bringing diagnostic services directly to the people and fostering a robust, system-wide approach to cancer care at JOOTRH, the Kisumu Breast Cancer Project is transforming a formerly silent crisis into a success story of early detection and hope.

13/07/2026

ADVANCED MEDICAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), is proud to announce fellowship and residency positions accredited by COSECSA and CANECSA.

We are inviting applications for full-time residential courses starting in January 2027: General Surgery – COSECSA (5-year Residential Course) Orthopaedic Surgery – COSECSA (5-year Residential Course) Anaesthesiology – CANECSA (4-year Residential Course)

Minimum Requirements:Holder of MBChB or equivalent from a KMPDC-recognized institution. Licensed by KMPDC or eligible for registration. Professional indemnity cover (Minimum KES 1M). Proof of scholarship/sponsorship.

Send your application letter, detailed CV (including 2 letters of recommendation), academic certificates, KMPDC registration, and retention licenses to [email protected] and copy [email protected]. (Indicate the position in the subject line).

Hand deliveries should be adressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 849 - 40100, Kisumu.
Application deadline on on Monday , 31st August 2026, at 5:00 P.M.

13/07/2026

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has successfully secured re-accreditation under the ISO 15189:2022 standard, reaffirming the quality, accuracy and reliability of its medical laboratory services.

The re-accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), led by Lead Assessor Dennis Bundi Gikunda and Technical Assessor Antony Katayi, with support from JOOTRH Quality Officer Ignatius Yongo. The assessment confirmed that the hospital's laboratory quality management system fully complies with the latest international requirements, successfully transitioning from ISO 15189:2012.

ISO 15189:2022 accreditation recognizes laboratories that consistently produce accurate, reliable and timely results through robust quality management systems. At JOOTRH, this includes standardized procedures, risk management, quality control and continuous performance monitoring, ensuring clinicians can make informed treatment decisions based on dependable laboratory findings.

The re-accreditation also broadens the hospital's accredited testing scope. JOOTRH is now accredited in Parasitology (Malaria Microscopy), Biochemistry, Haematology, Tuberculosis Microscopy and GeneXpert testing, with Microbiology Culture and Sensitivity added as a newly accredited service. The addition strengthens the hospital's ability to diagnose infectious diseases accurately and support evidence-based treatment.

During the assessment, the KENAS team emphasized the need for continuous quality monitoring, adherence to established procedures and ongoing improvement to maintain international standards. They noted that sustained accreditation reflects an institution's commitment to quality, patient safety and excellence in laboratory practice.

The accreditation also enhances JOOTRH's capacity to support clinical research and collaborative studies by providing laboratory services that meet internationally recognized standards, creating opportunities for scientific advancement and improved patient care.

The ISO 15189:2022 re-accreditation cements JOOTRH's position as Western Kenya's leading referral hospital, delivering internationally accredited laboratory services that enhance patient care, support research and drive excellence in healthcare.

12/07/2026

Bringing specialized healthcare closer to the people, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), through its Mashinani initiative, joined the Ministry of Health and other referral hospitals to provide integrated medical services to more than 2,300 residents of Kaptarkok and neighbouring communities during the 10th Edition of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP).

Held at Kaptarkok Primary School alongside the Kaptagat Forest Marathon, the outreach supported the Government's Universal Health Coverage agenda by taking referral-level healthcare services directly to the community.

Residents accessed medical consultations, laboratory services, screening and management of hypertension and diabetes, nutrition assessment and counselling, reproductive health services, treatment of common illnesses, health education, prescriptions and essential medicines. Patients requiring specialised eye, dental and surgical care were referred for further treatment.

For JOOTRH, the outreach reflected the hospital's commitment to extending referral-level healthcare beyond its walls, making specialized services more accessible to underserved communities.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga and Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Patron of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, visited the medical camp and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare through community-based service delivery.

The event also featured tree planting activities, highlighting the link between environmental conservation and healthier communities.

Also present were representatives from Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital, Zuri Health, Marie Stopes Kenya, State agencies and other health partners, underscoring the importance of collaboration in delivering integrated healthcare services to communities.

10/07/2026

Ksh 4.9B Ultra-Modern Facelift to Transform JOOTRH into a 2,000-Bed 'Medicity'

Imagine a healthcare facility where patients and medical staff no longer have to trek long distances between departments, and where critical, life-saving services are seamlessly consolidated into a single, high-efficiency space.

This is the future of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The facility is set to undergo a massive Ksh 4.9 billion transformation, moving away from its aging, decentralized structures to become a state-of-the-art "medicity."

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Arprim Consultants recently toured the proposed site to assess readiness for the ambitious 2,000-bed capacity expansion.

The master plan and feasibility study, prepared by Arprim Consultants and presented by Principal Architect Jared Momanyi, outlines a strategic, phased development designed to meet the region's rapidly growing healthcare demands.

The first phase focuses on the construction of a modern, eight-story, 500-bed facility. It will feature specialized medical and surgical wards, a 28-bed Accident and Emergency complex, 20 operating theatres, a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a 20-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU), a renal support center, outpatient clinics, a physical rehabilitation center, and a 15-station dental unit. The rooftop will host solar infrastructure, water storage, and a helipad.

Phase 11 will add an extra 600 beds alongside supporting infrastructure, including a dedicated Doctors’ Plaza and expanded clinical services. Over time, subsequent developments will bring the total capacity to 2,000 beds.

The current hospital structures, many built before 1969, present severe operational hurdles. Currently, staff and patients must walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day just to navigate between departments—a setup that drains human resources and exhausts patients.

By compressing the hospital’s footprint, the new design maximizes labor efficiency and minimizes patient movement. Crucially, the modernized Accident and Emergency (A&E) wing will connect directly to the diagnostic and radiology departments, allowing for instant CT scans and rapid results.

Furthermore, the layout is strategically engineered to reduce hospital-acquired infection rates. For instance, placing the operating theatres, diagnostic areas, and critical care units (ICU/HDU) in close proximity eliminates transit delays that routinely jeopardize patient outcomes.

During the site visit, Ms. Nadege Balima of AfDB, an infrastructure engineer and the project’s Task Manager, emphasized that confirming space availability, identifying JOOTRH’s priority areas, and assessing staff training needs were critical first steps toward breaking ground.

Dr. Hezron Omollo, Head of Infrastructure Projects and Grants Management, led the touring team and underscored the urgent regional need for efficient, modernized medical facilities to save lives.

JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the African Development Bank, noting that their partnership is the linchpin in turning this ambitious infrastructural vision into reality.

10/07/2026

Can a Toothache Be Cancerous?

When the tumour was finally discovered, it had already consumed nearly half of Stephen Omondi's upper jaw. It had spread dangerously close to his eye, threatening the delicate tissues responsible for sight and speech. Eating had become almost impossible.

For the father of two from Seme, what began as an ordinary toothache would eventually lead to a rare diagnosis and life-changing surgery at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).

In June 2025, Stephen developed severe tooth pain and sought treatment at a medical camp, where the affected tooth was extracted. He thought the pain was over. Instead, it worsened, and his jaw continued to swell. For months, he relied on over-the-counter painkillers that only provided temporary relief.

"I kept buying painkillers to relieve the pain. They only postponed the pain for a couple of months," he recalls.

When he finally sought care at JOOTRH, Dr. Anthony E. Ganda, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, ordered further investigations that revealed a cancerous tumour.

"Pain is what brings most patients to us," says Dr. Ganda. "Unfortunately, the warning signs of oral cancer can easily be mistaken for an ordinary toothache."

The tumour's size and location meant surgery would be highly complex, with risks to Stephen's vision, speech, breathing and ability to eat. His only request was simple: "I wanted my teeth to function normally again."

To achieve that, JOOTRH collaborated with specialists from Eldoret to fabricate replacement teeth. The six-hour operation brought together nearly ten healthcare providers, including maxillofacial surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, prosthetic specialists and a visiting surgeon, all working to remove the tumour while preserving as many vital functions as possible.

Nearly five months later, Stephen has returned to his business and continues to recover well.

"They gave me hope," he says. "They made sure I not only survived the surgery but also retained my speech and other important functions."

"Cancer is often seen as a death sentence," says Dr. Ganda, "but Stephen is living proof that with timely diagnosis, specialised care and teamwork, patients can continue living full and meaningful lives."

09/07/2026

Don't wait until your vision changes. A routine eye examination can detect eye diseases and even early signs of conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Visit the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) Eye Clinic today. Early detection can protect your sight and your health.

08/07/2026

The Lifeline Behind Critical Care

A patient gasps for air. A nurse reaches for an oxygen mask. Within seconds, the steady flow of medical oxygen begins, quietly supporting every breath.

It is a familiar scene in hospitals, yet few moments in healthcare depend on as many unseen hands. Long before oxygen reaches a patient's bedside, it has travelled an extraordinary journey powered by technology, precision and the dedication of biomedical engineers working behind the scenes.

One-year-old Miracle Maurice knows the value of that unseen journey. Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) with severe breathing difficulties, he depended on continuous oxygen therapy for one month and three weeks as doctors and nurses fought to save his life. Day by day, his condition improved until he could finally breathe independently.

"They did a good job. If it weren't for the continuous oxygen flow, we would not be here today," recalls his grateful mother.

Behind Miracle's recovery is an advanced oxygen supply system that has quietly sustained thousands of patients since 2020. JOOTRH operates an oxygen generation plant alongside two 20,000-litre cryogenic liquid oxygen storage tanks that produce and store up to 99.9 percent pure medical oxygen. The oxygen is supplied continuously to the Emergency Department, ICU, maternity, paediatric and medical wards, ensuring patients receive uninterrupted respiratory support whenever it is needed.

According to Biomedical Engineer David Ochieng', the journey begins with ordinary atmospheric air. It is compressed before oxygen is separated from other gases, cooled in a refrigeration dryer, purified through carbon filters that remove moisture, impurities and odours, then stored before distribution. From there, medical-grade copper pipelines carry the oxygen safely across the hospital. Copper is used because it does not react with oxygen, preserving its purity until it reaches each patient's bedside.

Approximately 90 patients depend on oxygen therapy at JOOTRH every day. The reliable supply has strengthened critical care services, contributed to improved patient outcomes, including reducing child mortality to 30 percent, and supports 21 health facilities across Kisumu County. While clinicians deliver lifesaving treatment at the bedside, biomedical engineers work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep oxygen flowing without interruption.

For Miracle Maurice and countless others, their quiet dedication transforms ordinary air into the priceless gift of another breath.

08/07/2026

ADVANCED MEDICAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), is proud to announce fellowship and residency positions accredited by COSECSA and CANECSA.

We are inviting applications for full-time residential courses starting in January 2027: General Surgery – COSECSA (5-year Residential Course), Orthopaedic Surgery – COSECSA (5-year Residential Course), Anaesthesiology – CANECSA (4-year Residential Course)

Minimum Requirements: Holder of MBChB or equivalent from a KMPDC-recognized institution. Licensed by KMPDC or eligible for registration. Professional indemnity cover (Minimum KES 1M). Proof of scholarship/sponsorship.

Send your application letter, detailed CV (including 2 letters of recommendation), academic certificates, KMPDC registration, and retention licenses to [email protected] and copy [email protected]. (Indicate the position in the subject line.
Hand deliveries should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 849 - 40100, Kisumu.

Application deadline on Monday, 31st August 2026, at 5:00 P.M.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital

13/07/2026

13/07/2026

13/07/2026

13/07/2026

12/07/2026

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

09/07/2026

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category