The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County has been officially upgraded to a Level 6 facility and will now function as a State-run entity handling medical referrals across the Nyanza region.
In an announcement from Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, the hospital’s CEO, JOOTRH will now serve as a government institution, managing referrals both from within Kisumu County and beyond.
Dr. Lesiyampe described the upgrade as a major achievement for the hospital. He noted that JOOTRH is rolling out a comprehensive strategic plan and a transformative management agenda designed to improve its administrative and clinical capabilities. As part of this transition, Dr. Lesiyampe has requested an increase in the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) daily bed reimbursement rate from Ksh. 3,500 to Ksh. 4,500 to reflect the hospital’s new status as a Level 6 facility with specialized services.
Additionally, Dr. Lesiyampe revealed plans to expand the hospital’s bed capacity to approximately 760, aiming to better address the growing healthcare demands of the region.
The elevation of JOOTRH to parastatal status was formalized through a gazette notice issued on August 30, 2024. This notice also indicated that the hospital’s management board and team will transition to operate as a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA).
