JOOTRH secures USD2.3M for major equipment upgrade, telemedicine launch

KENYA — Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has announced a major modernization plan backed by Sh300 million (USD2.3 million) in new medical equipment purchases over the next three months.

CEO Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise revealed the investment plan during a recent Executive Committee and Heads of Department meeting.

The management has allocated the funds specifically to address critical equipment shortages that currently limit the hospital’s service delivery capacity.

Dr. Okise instructed department heads to identify and prioritize essential equipment that will deliver the most immediate improvements in patient care.

The hospital aims to use these resources strategically to enhance clinical outcomes across multiple departments.

New theatre and decentralized care units

Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Dedan Ongonga outlined several key infrastructure projects during the meeting.

The hospital plans to establish a fully operational theatre within the Accident and Emergency Unit, enabling faster surgical interventions for critical cases.

The facility will also decentralize High Dependency Units by setting them up within various departments.

This approach will expand patient access to specialized care and reduce bottlenecks in the current centralized system.

Obama Children’s Hospital renovation

The renovation of Obama Children’s Hospital ranks among the facility’s top priorities.

The upgraded wing will include a dedicated hematology room to improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities for young patients with blood disorders.

Management has scheduled the replacement of all existing hospital beds throughout the facility.

The new beds will enhance patient comfort and support better hygiene standards across all wards.

Telemedicine services set to transform access

Dr. Okise emphasized the hospital’s readiness to launch telemedicine services, following the successful implementation model already operating in Murang’a County.

He urged staff members to embrace the Afya Ke digital health system as the facility prepares for this technological shift.

The telemedicine program will map patient populations and partner with lower-level health facilities in areas with high patient density.

JOOTRH consultants will conduct remote consultations through virtual clinics, bringing specialized medical expertise directly to patients in their communities.

“By setting up virtual clinics, our consultants can attend to patients remotely,” Dr. Okise explained.

“This increases access to specialized care and allows our clients to repurpose the money they would have spent on transport to JOOTRH for other essential needs.”

The initiative will primarily serve patients who require specialized clinics and scheduled consultant reviews, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming travel to the main hospital facility.

Staff transition and compensation updates

Dr. Ongonga provided updates on human resources developments as the hospital completes its structural transformation.

JOOTRH has successfully transitioned its workforce from the 17-tier county structure to a streamlined 13-tier parastatal structure.

The hospital currently awaits approval from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for updated basic salary scales.

Meanwhile, the board will convene soon to approve revised staff allowances under the new structure.

Dr. Okise concluded the meeting by sharing his ambitious vision for the institution.

“Soon JOOTRH will be a Medicity,” he stated, signaling the hospital’s aspirations to become a comprehensive medical hub serving the region.