In a significant stride toward enhancing affordable and quality healthcare, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili officiated the commissioning of seven new high-efficiency dialysis (HDF) machines at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) on Friday.
The expansion doubles the hospital’s dialysis capacity to 14 machines, ensuring that more patients battling kidney disease receive timely and advanced treatment. The investment aims to ease the strain on existing resources and significantly improve health outcomes for renal patients.
“Our commitment to providing Kisumu residents with quality, affordable healthcare is on course,” said Dr. Owili, speaking on behalf of Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.
“Today, we have not only commissioned the new accident and emergency department at JOOTRH but also expanded our renal unit. These seven newly launched machines are among the most modern available, and very few facilities in the country have such advanced equipment. With these improvements, JOOTRH is now better equipped to operate at the Level Six status we are striving for,” he added.
Specialized Care to Enhance Kidney Treatment
To complement the upgraded renal unit, JOOTRH has trained renal nurses and specialists to provide personalized care. Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Dr. Gregory Ganda emphasized the county’s long-term vision of establishing the hospital as a center for specialized kidney treatment and transplants.
“We have been working tirelessly to elevate JOOTRH to Level Six status, offering specialized medical services. A few years ago, we sent some of our doctors to South Africa for training in renal medicine. One physician has returned, and another will complete training next year,” Dr. Ganda revealed.
He further noted that Kisumu has trained 12 renal nurses, ensuring that the facility has adequate skilled personnel to operate the new HDF machines.
“These state-of-the-art machines will extend lives, and with our newly trained urologists, we are moving toward performing kidney transplants at JOOTRH. Once all infrastructure is in place, we will be ready to conduct transplants locally, saving lives and reducing the need for costly referrals,” he stated.
A Milestone for Healthcare in Kisumu
The launch was attended by Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, and other county and hospital officials, all of whom lauded the milestone as a game-changer for renal care in the region.
As Kisumu edges closer to achieving Level Six hospital status, the investment in cutting-edge dialysis technology and specialized renal training marks a crucial step in making advanced healthcare services accessible to more residents.
