Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o has unveiled a -50 bed capacity private care centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The wing, which has not been operational for two years, will provide specialised services and help realise the county’s effective healthcare provision.
Nyong’o said the Prime Care Centre will address challenges civil servants have been unable to access owing to their insurance cover limits.
“Private hospitals often exhaust these limits quickly, leaving patients with difficult choices. JOOTRH Prime Care will address this issue by providing the same high-quality, specialised services at more affordable rates,” he said.
JOOTRH is committed to providing accessible healthcare to the community.
The facility will foster public and private partnerships and improve the well-being of the community.
Nyong'o spoke on Monday during the launch of the facility. He was accompanied Deputy Governor Ochieng' Owili, health executive Greg Ganda, JOOTRH chairperson Doris Ombara and CEO Richard Lesiyampe.
JOOTRH, which has been upgraded to level 6, was the only level 5 hospital in the region without a dedicated amenity wing.
Nyong’o urged potential investors to partner with the hospital to expand the facility.
“The more beds we have, the more people are set to benefit,” he said.
The centre also targets business owners and other private residents.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure patients receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
“Patients will high-quality care similar to private hospital, but at an affordable price,” Nyong’o said.
He highlighted Lesiyampe's vast experience at KNH and expressed confidence that he will help transform JOOTRH.
“With his track record at KHN, we have faith that he will continue to initiate the much needed transformation at the hospital,” Nyong’o said.
Lesiyampe said the JOOTRH is on transformation trajectory for better services.
“The prime care centre which has outpatient and inpatient care is affordable because it is below the low-level and high-end facility,” he said.
JOOTRH prime care has a theatre, laboratory, pharmacy, imaging and diagnostic equipment.
Services such as dentistry, Obstetric gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatric and counselling will be provided.
“As a hospital, we are focusing on expanding specializsed services for patients in Western Kenya as part of our transformation trajectory,” Lesiyampe said.