JOOTRH introduces life-saving apheresis service for sickle cell patients

KENYA—The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Western Kenya has achieved a significant milestone in healthcare delivery with the installation of a cutting-edge apheresis machine.

This advanced medical equipment represents the first of its kind in the Lake Region Economic Bloc and marks a transformative moment for patients battling sickle cell disease across the region.

Through a strategic partnership with Conrad Science and TERUMO, the hospital has brought this life-saving technology directly to communities that desperately need it.

For years, patients requiring specialized blood exchange procedures faced the daunting prospect of traveling long distances to access treatment at facilities far from home.

These exhausting journeys imposed heavy financial burdens on families while delaying critical interventions that could mean the difference between life and death.

The new machine, now operational at the JOOTRH Victoria Annex, performs two crucial procedures: Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) and Red Blood Cell Exchange (RBC-X).

Medical professionals use these interventions to manage severe complications associated with sickle cell disease, including life-threatening conditions such as stroke and acute chest syndrome.

During these procedures, clinicians remove sickled red blood cells from a patient’s bloodstream and replace them with healthy donor blood, effectively reducing the risk of serious complications and improving overall health outcomes.

Mr. Evans Oloo, the Senior Director of Finance and Administration, spoke on behalf of the hospital’s CEO during a specialized training session for medical staff.

He described the acquisition as a beacon of hope for countless families struggling with sickle cell disease.

The executive emphasized that bringing these sophisticated services closer to patients reduces unnecessary suffering while simultaneously improving clinical outcomes and demonstrating the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing equitable healthcare access for all residents of the region.

Kevin Otieno from Conrad Science is leading comprehensive training sessions to ensure the clinical teams at Victoria Annex can operate the equipment with confidence and precision.

These intensive training programs cover both the technical aspects of running the machine and the critical protocols for monitoring patients throughout the procedures.

Healthcare workers are learning to recognize potential complications, adjust treatment parameters in real-time, and maintain the highest safety standards during every intervention.

Dr. Steven Ojuma, who serves as Director of the Victoria Annex, stressed that investing in staff development remains just as essential as acquiring state-of-the-art equipment.

He explained that the hospital’s primary objective centers on ensuring every team member can use this technology safely and effectively to deliver exceptional care that meets international standards.

Without properly trained personnel, even the most advanced medical equipment cannot fulfill its potential to save lives and improve patient outcomes.

The machine has already demonstrated its value through successful clinical applications. Medical teams performed the first procedures on September 1, 2025, marking a historic day for the facility.

Since that inaugural treatment, five patients have received care using the new technology, and all have shown positive responses to their treatments.

These early successes validate the investment and fuel optimism about the machine’s potential to transform sickle cell care throughout the region.

JOOTRH now stands as only the second public healthcare facility in Kenya to house this specialized technology.

This distinction positions the hospital as an emerging regional center of excellence for hematological care, attracting patients from across Western Kenya and neighboring areas who previously had no access to such advanced treatments.

By offering these services locally, the hospital has eliminated the substantial financial strain that families once endured when seeking referrals to distant facilities.

Patients no longer need to budget for expensive travel, accommodation, or time away from work and family responsibilities.

This accessibility represents more than mere convenience—it ensures timely intervention when every hour counts in managing acute sickle cell crises.

For the thousands of individuals living with sickle cell disease across Western Kenya, this development offers renewed hope for healthier, more stable lives with fewer dangerous complications and better long-term prognoses.