Pediatric care at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is set for significant improvement following the return of the facility’s head of pediatrics, Dr Maureen Muchela, from a six-month clinical observership in Taiwan China.
Dr Muchela, who trained alongside pediatric nurse Jeriah Kwamboka Orangi, was received by acting CEO Dr Joshua Clinton Okise after completing the programme at the Tri-Service General Hospital and Shin Kong Wu-Ho Su Memorial Hospital between May 30 and October 27, 2025.
The training, facilitated by Uzima University in partnership with the Kisumu County government, the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps and Rotary Clubs in Kenya and Taiwan, aims to strengthen pediatric and neonatal services at the region’s main referral hospital.
Kenya was selected due to its ongoing struggle to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in line with global Sustainable Development Goals.
On her return, Dr Muchela delivered Vein Display instruments technology that helps clinicians locate veins when administering injections to children and handed over a detailed report outlining gaps, opportunities and recommended improvements for JOOTRH.
She said the observership exposed her to advanced neonatal care, including low-cost methods for managing hypothermia, strict protocols for receiving high-risk newborns and the need to prioritise neonatal critical care to reduce preventable deaths.
She added that clearly defined team roles and the integration of medical information systems markedly improved patient flow and clinical decision-making in the facilities she visited.
Dr Muchela also noted that timely diagnostics and early interdisciplinary consultations were central to saving newborn lives, with frontline staff empowered to conduct bedside radiological assessments and expedite referrals.
She said adopting these practices, supported by the hospital administration, would place JOOTRH among leading teaching and referral centres for maternal and neonatal care in the region.
Dr Okise welcomed the team back and described the partnership as an important step in strengthening the county’s health system.
He added that the experience was set to boost JOOTRH’s capacity for neonatal care as the facility transitions into a national referral hospital under the Ministry of Health.
By Chris Mahandara
