The transition of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) from a county-managed facility into a national health facility has gathered higher momentum, with both management and the transition committee reporting progress in key areas ranging from staff welfare to asset management and clinical service delivery.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Joshua Clinton Okise said the hospital has been hosting the transition team for the past week, with both the legal sub-committee and the assets and liabilities team working on verification and validation exercises.
“They were doing verification of the various assets and liabilities as the legal team confirmed agreements we have had with other partners to ensure authenticity even as we prepare to conclude on transition matters,” Okise explained.
He noted that despite the ongoing transition, service delivery had not been disrupted, with the hospital recording significant achievements in clinical care and infrastructure improvement.
“During this transition period we have handled a number of projects and registered good clinical outcomes. We want staff to be aware that services have been moving on very well,” he said.
Among the milestones, Okise announced that JOOTRH became the first public health facility in Kenya to conduct apheresis, a complex medical procedure that separates blood components for treatment.
He also pointed to the neurosurgical camp spearheaded by the Kisumu Neurosurgical Team under Dr. Raore, which successfully operated on 54 patients.
In addition, the hospital has completed several infrastructure projects, including a new ramp linking to Ward 3B scheduled for commissioning and the renovation of the oncology and palliative care unit, also set official opening.
Okise further highlighted investments in sustainability, citing the hospital’s solarization project to cut electricity costs and rainwater harvesting initiatives to reduce water bills.
Transition Committee chairperson James Ntabo, who joined the CEO in briefing staff, said the committee was established to steer the handover in line with the set terms of reference, working through sub-committees on human resources, assets and finance, and legal affairs.
“We have conversed on issues along these sub-committees,” Ntabo said. “The human resources sub-committee, chaired by Dr. Bosire, has developed and is continuing to develop instruments to address transitional concerns of workers, particularly because they are moving from the county to the parastatal now that JOOTRH has been categorized as a level six hospital as of the 25th of last month.” On assets, Ntabo said the committee had taken custody of both movable and immovable resources—including land, vehicles, and machinery—until a substantive board is in place. “We are ensuring that nothing gets lost and no mischief occurs along the way. What belongs to JOOTRH must remain intact until the board takes over,” he affirmed.
The legal team, he added, has been reviewing all agreements supporting JOOTRH’s new status to ensure compliance with national laws and regulations governing level six hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
Ntabo said the committee had also engaged staff directly to address concerns about salaries and contract terms.
“They are happy now that they have been assured salaries will be paid by the national government by this Friday after funds were transferred. You saw them clap because they will no longer be waiting without knowing when payment will come,” he noted.
However, Ntabo acknowledged that staff are facing challenges with workload due to an upsurge in patient numbers.
“With the good news about JOOTRH spreading, more clients are coming in. This has created burnout for our workers,” he said. He assured that the matter would be escalated to Nairobi and that workforce expansion could be considered if funds allow.
The committee is also addressing issues affecting staff on contract, some of whose terms are due to expire as early as next week. “These are things we must handle carefully to ensure services are not disrupted,” Ntabo stressed.
Despite these challenges, both the hospital management and the transition committee struck an optimistic tone.
Ntabo pointed to improved revenue streams, infrastructure upgrades, and sustainability measures such as solarization and water harvesting as signs of growth.
“With all these positive developments, we believe JOOTRH is on the right trajectory to achieve the dream of becoming the pride of this region and the country as a whole. We want it to compete—and even surpass—other established facilities in its class,” he said.
By Faith Lumumba
