Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is a county referral hospital located in Kisumu, Kenya.
It was founded in the early 1900s to cater to the healthcare needs of the workers in the port town of Kisumu. The hospital was constructed with the assistance of the Soviets during the Cold War and was officially opened by President Jomo Kenyatta in September 1969.
Over the years, the hospital has undergone significant renovations and upgrades to improve the quality of healthcare services it provides to the people of Kisumu and the surrounding regions.
Contents
Hospital-Level and Bed Capacity
JOOTRH is a level 5 hospital, which means it is equipped to offer highly specialized healthcare services. The hospital has a bed capacity of 461, which is divided into different wards for both inpatient and outpatient services.
The hospital’s facilities and equipment are modern and up-to-date, ensuring that patients receive quality healthcare services.
Medical Services Offered
JOOTRH offers a wide range of medical services to cater to the diverse healthcare needs of the people of Kisumu and its environs.
These services include
- Surgery,
- Obstetrics and gynecology,
- Pediatrics,
- Ophthalmology,
- Orthopedics,
- Dermatology, and
- Psychiatry.
The hospital also provides specialized services such as cancer treatment, dialysis, and dental services.
NHIF Accreditation
JOOTRH is an NHIF-accredited hospital, which means that patients who are members of the National Hospital Insurance Fund can access healthcare services at the hospital using their NHIF cards.
The hospital is also registered with NHIF Kisumu branch, with the NHIF code being 3336213.
24/7 Medical Services
JOOTRH offers round-the-clock medical services to patients, ensuring that they receive medical attention at any time of the day or night.
The hospital has a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to provide quality healthcare services to patients.
Community Outreach Programme
JOOTRH has a robust community outreach programme that aims to improve healthcare services in Kisumu County and its environs. The programme targets vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly, who are often unable to access healthcare services due to financial or geographical constraints.
The hospital conducts free medical camps and health education sessions to help raise awareness about various health issues and promote healthy living.
Challenges Facing the Hospital
Like most healthcare institutions in Kenya, JOOTRH faces several challenges in providing quality healthcare services to its patients.
Some of the challenges include inadequate funding, shortage of medical personnel, and insufficient medical supplies and equipment.
However, the hospital management has been working hard to address these challenges and improve the quality of healthcare services provided to the people of Kisumu and the surrounding regions.
Contacts and Location
- JOOTRH is located in Kisumu County,
- Postal address of P.O. BOX 849-40100, Kisumu.
- Website is http://www.jaramogireferral.go.ke/,
- Email address is info@jaramogireferral.go.ke.
- Mobile numbers are 0733 888579 / 0758 721994,
- Telephone numbers are 057 2020801 / 057 2020803 / 057 2020321.
Conclusion
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has played a significant role in providing quality healthcare services to the people of Kisumu and the surrounding regions. Despite the challenges facing the hospital, it has remained committed to its
mission of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to all. The hospital’s NHIF accreditation, 24/7 medical services, and community outreach program are some of the initiatives that have helped the hospital to achieve this goal.
However, there is still a need for the government and other stakeholders to provide more support to the hospital to enable it to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.
This includes funding to address the shortage of medical personnel and equipment, as well as the construction of more healthcare facilities to cater to the growing population.