JOOTRH inaugurates board to guide expansion to Level 6 status

KENYA—Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has conducted his first strategic meeting with the newly appointed Board of Directors of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).

During this meeting, he outlined the government’s expectations for the facility as it assumes an expanded role as a Level 6 teaching and referral hospital.

The Board, chaired by Dr. Charles Olang’o, will oversee JOOTRH’s transformation into a major centre for specialised healthcare, medical education, research and innovation.

The expanded role is expected to strengthen referral services across Western Kenya and the wider East African region while reducing pressure on national referral hospitals.

Government outlines priorities for JOOTRH

During the meeting, Duale said the Board would play a central role in guiding the hospital’s growth and ensuring that it delivers high-quality specialised services.

He urged its members to provide visionary leadership while maintaining strong standards of integrity, accountability and corporate governance.

The Cabinet Secretary also called on the Board to manage public resources prudently and adopt a results-oriented approach to institutional development.

He emphasised the need for the hospital to strengthen service delivery while expanding its capacity to support medical training, research and innovation.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing reforms in the health sector under the Taifa Care Model.

These reforms include the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has enrolled more than 31 million Kenyans, as well as efforts to revitalise the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

According to the Ministry, KEMSA’s order fill rate has risen to 90%, indicating improved capacity to meet healthcare facilities’ demand for medicines and other medical supplies.

In addition, the Government is preparing to operationalise the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, which will serve as Kenya’s first integrated system for coordinating emergency medical services.

Focus on specialised healthcare and UHC

Duale reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting JOOTRH as it expands its role within Kenya’s healthcare system.

He said the Government would continue investing in hospital infrastructure, specialised medical services, healthcare workforce development, research and innovation.

These investments are intended to improve access to quality, affordable and people-centred healthcare while supporting the country’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The hospital’s expanded mandate will also position it to provide more specialised services closer to patients in Western Kenya and neighbouring regions.

The engagement brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the hospital’s leadership.

Attendees included the Ministry’s Director of Health Sector Coordination, Dr. Ahmed Albush; the Secretary for Administration in the State Department for Medical Services, James Ntabo; and the National Eye Care Coordinator and Head of the Eye Health Section, Dr. Monicah Bitok.