JOOTRH launches snakebite research, expands cancer treatment

KENYA—The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has launched a six-month research project to enhance the treatment of venomous snakebites in Kisumu, Baringo, and Kilifi counties.

The initiative, led by Dr. Mitchel Okumu and funded by Premium Serums and Vaccines Serum Limited, seeks to enhance patient outcomes through timely and effective treatment.

During the study, healthcare professionals will monitor snakebite cases and administer PANAF Premium, a registered and proven anti-venom, free of charge.

Patients will be admitted to a specialized ward at JOOTRH for close observation—a shift from the previous outpatient approach—to ensure better recovery.

According to Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, the hospital’s CEO, community awareness is crucial for the success of this initiative.

He highlighted that many snakebite victims rely on traditional healers, which delays life-saving medical care.

With this project, the hospital aims to dispel these misconceptions and encourage prompt medical intervention, even for minor bites.

The study will collect data on the types of snake venoms, the number of cases, and treatment outcomes, providing valuable insights into snakebite patterns across Kenya.

This information will help shape strategies for prevention and improved care. Study sites include Malindi Sub-County Hospital in Kilifi and Margiat Sub-County Hospital in Baringo.

Dr. Lesiyampe has called on stakeholders to support the project, emphasizing its potential to save lives and improve healthcare delivery for snakebite victims.

In addition to the snakebite project, JOOTRH has made significant strides in cancer care by establishing the first radiotherapy center in the Nyanza region.

This new facility will provide life-saving treatment for cancer patients who previously had to travel long distances to Eldoret or Nairobi, often facing extended wait times. 

The announcement was made during a stakeholder meeting in Nairobi, attended by prominent figures including Dr. Joseph Kimagut Sitienei, Director of Public Health; Dr. Joan-Paula Bor-Malenya, Lead for Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Control Program; and representatives from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Discussions centered on expanding radiotherapy services at JOOTRH and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), with support from SWEDFUND, a Swedish development finance institution. 

SWEDFUND has already played a vital role in equipping the Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, which began operations in 2021. 

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