Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu/Kakamega Road, Kisumu (2025)

08/08/2025

PS Health Calls for Blood Donations, Government Rallies Support After Tragic Kisumu Accident

Principal Secretary for Health, Dr. Ouma Oluga, today launched an urgent appeal for blood donations at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) following a devastating bus accident that claimed 25 lives on the Kisumu-Kakamega road. The accident involved a school bus transporting 61 members of the Sigoti Clan from Nyakach.

Thirty-two survivors are currently receiving critical care at JOOTRH’s Orthopaedic Trauma Ward. Dr. Oluga visited the Emergency and Accident Unit, stating, "This is tragic news for the entire country, and the entire country is united in this sorrow... From the Ministry of Health, we are keen to ensure that we do everything that we can... to support these families."

A blood drive will commence at 9:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Leresian Park within JOOTRH. Dr. Oluga praised the swift response of JOOTRH staff and other mobilized healthcare workers, noting the hospital's "extremely impressive" organization, with 26 patients already transferred to wards within three hours.

The government, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, will provide assistance to bereaved families. A psychosocial support tent is being set up to offer counseling, and a dedicated help desk is aiding families seeking information. "We are going to set up a psychological first aid for them from tonight," Dr. Oluga affirmed, assuring full support for every affected family.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and MPs Rose Abuyu (Kisumu West), Dr. Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), and Aduma Owour (Nyakach), Dr Greggory Ganda, CECM Health Kisumu County, joined Dr. Oluga, commending JOOTRH’s prompt action and the vital role of its equipment in saving lives.

As relatives gather at the information desk, we extend deepest condolences and urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution to prevent future tragedies.

08/08/2025

Tragic Accident on Kisumu-Kakamega Road
Staff at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) moved swiftly this evening to receive and save the lives of survivors from a tragic road accident that occurred at the Coptic roundabout area along the Kisumu-Kakamega road. The accident involved a school bus carrying family members who were on their way to Nyakach after attending a burial of their relative in Nyahera, Kisumu West sub-county.

The hospital’s emergency response team acted swiftly, deploying stretchers and mobilizing staff to ensure that no patient was left unattended.

Thirty -Two of the occupants are currently stable and receiving treatment at the hospital's Emergency and Accident Unit. Unfortunately, the hospital also received 19 bodies from the accident scene, While another, three unidentified adult males and a male child succumbed to their injuries upon arrival at the hospital.Making to the total number of those dead 23.

The ill-fated bus, which was carrying a total of 61 family members, is reported to have hit an object, causing it to swerve before rolling over.

In response to the tragic event, the hospital has established a help desk with psycho-social support services next to the Emergency and Accident Unit to assist family members seeking information on their loved ones. Relatives continue to flock to the help desk as they seek information and support.

The process of admitting the patients to orthopedic trauma Ward three is ongoing. The hospital remains on high alert to support any further emergency needs.

We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy and urge all drivers to exercise caution on the roads to prevent further loss of life.

07/08/2025

Don't miss out! Our upcoming pediatric surgical camp is for ALL pediatric surgical conditions, not just umbilical hernias.
Call the numbers on the poster to register and get your child the help they need. The opportunity is now!

07/08/2025

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has introduced a mental health awareness program to support pregnant adolescent girls aged 11 to 25. The program aims to reduce stress, depression, and risks of premature delivery or low birth weight. Mrs. Claire Wekesa, Nursing Officer in charge of MCH, said the initiative will guide young mothers through pregnancy and prepare them for motherhood. Weekly sessions will be held every Thursday, with the next scheduled for 11th September at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring peers and suggest topics to make the program more inclusive and impactful.

07/08/2025

In ensuring your safety and excellent clinical outcomes, JOOTRH is under 24/7 surveillance. Remember that JOOTRH is under constant CCTV camera monitoring.

For inquiries, call 0733888579 or visit www.jootrh.go.ke.

06/08/2025

https://youtu.be/Ii0DYjvIoYk?si=L0k_qC71uS9wcwDF

06/08/2025

A team from Roche, which operates in Kenya under its pharmaceutical and diagnostics divisions, paid a courtesy call to JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe to discuss a potential partnership for laboratory equipment upgrade and capacity building. JOOTRH currently uses Roche-manufactured machines, including the Cobas Integra and Cobas c311 for biochemistry. The engagement focused on training laboratory staff on existing installations, improving infrastructure, and transitioning to advanced systems like the Cobas 5800 and Cobas e 411. Roche also committed to organizing benchmarking visits to facilities where such upgrades have been successfully implemented. The collaboration is expected to enhance diagnostic efficiency and strengthen the hospital’s laboratory services.

06/08/2025

JOOTRH Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week by Educating New Mothers.
New mothers at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) received hands-on breastfeeding tips before being discharged. The hospital marked the second day of World Breastfeeding Week with a special session in the maternity ward, where new mothers learned essential techniques to ensure their babies are well-fed and healthy.

Rosemary Shikari, a lactation specialist from , Mama Toto ChildBirth and Breastfeeding Educative Services, led the training. She provided in-depth knowledge on various breastfeeding aspects, focusing on proper milk expression, baby positioning, and a baby's cues.

Key Tips for New Mothers
Shikari addressed common mistakes, such as forcefully pressing the breast to express milk, which can cause pain. She advised mothers to instead use gentle pressure on the middle part of the breast, allowing it to relax without touching the ni**le. She also explained that the first milk, known as colostrum, is crucial for a newborn's digestive system, helping to flush out the stomach and transition their stool from black to green.

Other important tips shared during the session included:

Proper Positioning: Mothers should hold their babies close and face them toward the breast to promote bonding and effective latching.

Feed on Demand: Instead of setting a strict schedule, mothers should breastfeed their babies until they are satisfied. The baby's mouth communicates with the breast to regulate milk production.

One Breast at a Time: To ensure the baby receives all the nutrients from the milk, mothers should empty one breast completely before offering the other.

Limit Distractions: Shikari warned against using phones while breastfeeding, as it can cause the baby to favor one side, potentially leading to one breast becoming larger than the other.

Stress Management: She emphasized that stress and overthinking can negatively affect milk production by interfering with signals to the brain.

Twins: For mothers of twins, Shikari recommended breastfeeding both babies simultaneously to ensure they receive equal nutrients and promote uniform growth.

Shikari concluded by stating that it is the hospital's culture to empower all new mothers with the knowledge needed to breastfeed effectively and take care of both themselves and their babies.

06/08/2025

JOOTRH with ADONIS to Improve Cancer Treatment Completion
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is launching a new partnership to combat a significant problem: a 50% dropout rate among cancer patients before they complete their treatment. The hospital, which operates the only live cancer dashboard in Kenya, aims to eliminate this issue within four months through a collaboration with the organization ADONIS.
The new partnership will focus on supporting patient navigators, who will be responsible for tracking patients and ensuring they finish their full course of treatment. According to JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, the goal is to provide a more holistic support system for patients.
"Anyone diagnosed with cancer should never take it as a death sentence," Dr. Lesiyampe said, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care. He also noted that the partnership will bring additional benefits, including:
• Affordable and uninterrupted supply of quality medicine
• Strengthened healthcare infrastructure
• Community engagement and education
Cancer Data from 2012 to 2025
JOOTRH’s dashboard has recorded 4,525 new cancer cases between 2012 and 2025. The data reveals that women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 54% of cases, while men make up 36%.
The most common types of cancer diagnosed at the hospital are:
1. Cervical cancer
2. Esophageal cancer
3. Breast cancer
4. Prostate cancer
5. Colorectal cancer
ADONIS, represented by Dr. Amitar Banerjee and Dr. Alvin Omondi, will also assist the hospital with cancer awareness campaigns and create a platform for survivors to share their stories. The hospital also agreed to begin referring to cancer survivors as "victors" to emphasize their strength in overcoming the disease.

05/08/2025

For the first time, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is set to offer red blood cell exchange (RBCx) therapy starting 1st September 2025, following the acquisition of an apheresis machine with the support of Nairobi West Hospital.

This marks a major breakthrough in the region’s fight against sickle cell disease. RBCx is a nonsurgical procedure that replaces abnormal red blood cells with healthy ones from donors, significantly improving patient outcomes.

The service will be offered at Victoria Hospital, JOOTRH’s dedicated sickle cell and hematology centre. The initiative targets Kisumu’s high sickle cell burden and will be supported through the Social Health Authority (SHA), which will help cover patients’ treatment costs.

Nairobi West Hospital will also deploy experts to train JOOTRH staff and support the treatment rollout. This innovation is expected to reduce reliance on overseas care, particularly bone marrow transplants in India, while strengthening local capacity for long-term impact.

05/08/2025

ARSK Conference 2025: A Courtesy Call to JOOTRH
Day 1 of the Arthritis and Rheumatology Society of Kenya (ARSK) Conference 2025 began with a courtesy visit to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The ARSK organizers were warmly welcomed by Deputy CEO Dr. Dedan Ongong’a, who represented CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe.

The ARSK delegation included Patron Dr. Philip Simani, Vice Chairperson Dr. Beryl Ganda, and Council Member Dr. Wairimu Mwaniki. Dr. John Murebi was also present, representing the Kenya Society of Physiotherapists.

During the visit, ARSK proudly acknowledged and reaffirmed its support for the groundbreaking rheumatology services offered to public patients in the region at the JOOTRH Rheumatology Clinic, led by Dr. Charles Omondi.

Dr. Ongong’a thanked the society for their visit and encouraged ARSK to focus on capacity building to help sustain and strengthen this essential service.

05/08/2025

Time is running out to kickstart your career in emergency medicine! ⏰ The Certificate in Emergency Medical Technology at JOOTRH Training School is your pathway to becoming a vital part of emergency response.
Our September intake is filling up fast! This full-time, one-year course includes practical experience with a 3-month hospital attachment.
Ready to apply?
KCSE C- (or equivalent) with Biology
Kenya ID/Passport
KSh 1500 application fee
KSh 100,000 tuition
Registration deadline: August 31st, 2025! Submit your application with CV to the JOOTRH Registry. Find details at www.jootrh.go.ke.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital

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