Victoria Hospital, an annex of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), has posted steady gains in its first year of operations, expanding access to specialised care for patients with sickle cell disease, blood disorders and selected surgical conditions.
The facility, which became operational in February 2024, has grown into a fully-fledged 24-hour service center offering both outpatient and inpatient care.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Joshua Okise said the facility now records an average of about 1,700 outpatient visits every month, alongside a growing number of inpatient admissions, an indicator of rising patient confidence and utilization of services.
The increased patient traffic, he added, has boosted revenue collection, strengthening the hospital’s capacity to meet its operational needs.
Among the key clinical milestones achieved at the facility, he said, is the successful apheresis treatment of five patients living with sickle cell disease.
“None of the patients has required hospitalization since the procedure, underscoring the effectiveness of apheresis in reducing recurrent sickle cell crises and improving quality of life, compared to conventional medical therapy that often offers only temporary relief,” he said.
Weekly sickle cell clinics, he said, have since been established to ensure continuity of care with the hospital expanding its service range to include minor gynecological procedures such as myomectomy and McDonald stitch surgeries.
Speaking during the end-of-year staff celebration at the facility, Dr. Okise lauded staff for translating the annex’s vision into tangible results despite a modest start marked by limited equipment, furniture and personnel.
“When we began, patient numbers were low and systems were still being put in place. What we are seeing now is the outcome of teamwork, persistence and strategic investment,” he said.
He disclosed that the hospital administration was mobilising resources to enhance operations at the annex, including plans to deploy a standby ambulance early next year to strengthen emergency response and referral services.
Dr. Okise also announced that an apheresis machine was expected to be placed at the facility by January next year, alongside work-based training for staff to ensure sustainability and technical competence.
This, he said, was expected to push monthly revenue collections at the facility to about Sh10 million.
He urged staff to uphold accountability in revenue collection, noting that sound financial management would enable the annex to independently procure essential supplies rather than rely entirely on the main hospital.
JOOTRH Director of Human Capital Nereah Ochieng emphasised the need for continuous professional development, saying the expansion of services must be matched with growing skills and leadership capacity among staff.
By Chris Mahandara
