The United States (US) Deputy Chief of Mission to Kenya, Carla Benini, has lauded the progress of HIV programs at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County, terming the success a true testament to strong ties between the United States and Kenya in combating HIV/AIDS.
Speaking during a tour of the facility, Benini commended JOOTRH’s healthcare professionals for their unwavering dedication to patient care, especially in HIV treatment and prevention.
She emphasized the critical role the hospital continues to play in improving the lives of people living with HIV, noting that U.S.-funded programs have significantly strengthened the region’s healthcare capacity.
“JOOTRH stands as a testament to what we can achieve through close collaboration. The strides made in HIV care here are saving lives and transforming communities,” said Benini.
According to JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Leisyampe, the hospital currently supports between 6,700 and 6,800 patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), including approximately 800 adolescents who benefit from youth-friendly services tailored to their unique needs.
JOOTRH, he said, has also made substantial progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Dr Leisyampe credited the success to the Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) strategy, which promotes zero missed appointments, zero missed medications, and zero viral load.
Currently, he said, 97 percent of eligible adolescents are enrolled in the OTZ program, with notable improvements in treatment adherence and viral suppression.
“Our maternal and child health services now reach over 2,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women annually, and most of the infants born at the facility test HIV-negative—a remarkable achievement,” Dr. Leisyampe said.
In partnership with the U.S. government, JOOTRH, he added, has extended the reach of its HIV interventions beyond hospital walls.
Trained healthcare workers, he said, have been deployed throughout Kisumu County, working alongside community health volunteers to promote adherence to treatment protocols, particularly in rural areas.
“This community-driven approach is helping reduce new infections and lower viral loads across the region,” he said.
Established in 2003 with U.S. government support, the JOOTRH HIV clinic was the first of its kind in the Nyanza and Western region.
Today, it has evolved into a regional hub for comprehensive HIV services, including testing, prevention, and treatment.
The hospital conducts about 20,000 HIV tests annually, with a current positivity rate of 2 percent.
Beyond HIV care, JOOTRH also offers a broad range of U.S.-supported services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), care for survivors of gender-based violence, voluntary medical male circumcision, and medically assisted therapy (MAT) for people who inject drugs.
According to the 2024 National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) report, Kisumu County has the highest HIV prevalence in Kenya at 11.7 percent, with an estimated 135,549 people living with HIV and 1,210 new infections recorded annually.
Despite these challenges, the collaborative efforts between JOOTRH and the U.S. government continue to yield tangible improvements in patient outcomes and community health.
By Ogada Kenedy and Faith Lumumba
