Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County has been elevated to a level six facility.
The facility popularly known as 'Russia Hospital' which serves a population of 10 million people in the lake region and beyond, will now operate as a parastatal under the county government of Kisumu.
According to a gazette notice dated August 20, 2024, the facility will now run as a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) handling referral cases from Kisumu County and beyond.
This new status grants the JOOTRH board operational autonomy in running the hospital's affairs including determining its organisational structure and services.
This comes as the facility which has been struggling financially given the huge population it serves awaits the necessary paperwork to have it taken over by the national government to enhance service delivery.
The facility currently runs on own-source revenue, donor funds and allocations from the County Government of Kisumu despite serving over 10 counties in the region and beyond.
The new status will see the facility attract more funding with enhanced National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) bed reimbursement.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Richard Lesiyampe said the move was pivotal in the implementation of the facility's strategic plan and transformative agenda.
He added that the facility was now operating as a level 6A hospital providing specialised care and services after renewing its license from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB).
Dr. Lesiyampe said plans were underway to expand the facility's bed capacity to 760 making it one of the leading teaching and referral facilities in the country.
