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PS Oluga allays fears of JOOTRH workers amid transition
07th October, 2025 11:22 AM
The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has promised Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) staff full medical cover as the health facility undergoes transition.
During his visit to the facility on Monday, October 6, 2025, where he assessed the Kisumu-based referral facility hospital’s ongoing transition, the health PS revealed that the initiative was critical to maintaining morale and ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
Also Watch: Ouma Oluga slams hospitals for inflating medical charges, orders nationwide crackdown
In a statement by the Ministry of Health, the health PS confirmed that all the staff will enjoy full medical cover during the period.
“He further assured that all hospital staff continue to enjoy full medical cover during the transition period, guaranteeing uninterrupted access to healthcare services and welfare support,” MOH wrote.
The Health PS further added that, “Our healthcare workers are the backbone of the system. Their well-being directly impacts the quality of care we provide.”
Notably, this comes amid the administrative shifts at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where Oluga confirmed that the appointment of a new hospital board is in its final stages.
Cancer care at JOOTRH
At the time, Oluga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to specialised healthcare, with a particular focus on cancer care.
Likewise, he called for a review of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s structural plan to ensure the timely completion of the project, which, according to the Ministry of Health, has received at least a Ksh100 million allocation from the government.
Also Watch: Hospital upgraded to level six, becomes Kenya’s sixth national referral facility
The Ministry of Health also announced that upon completion, the centre is expected to revolutionise cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research across the Lake Region, offering quality and affordable services to thousands of patients.
JOOTRH upgrade
Worth noting, this came after the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County was elevated to a Level C5 parastatal, a status previously reserved for public universities.
Announcing the upgrade during a visit to the facility on Monday, September 15, 2025, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga said the shift from county to national status must be felt immediately, urging the management to embrace its new mandate.
At the time, Oluga explained that the elevation is meant to attract and retain skilled health workers while positioning the hospital for financial sustainability, noting that national referral hospitals will no longer receive tax-based funding within five years.
He called for diversification of revenue through clinical research, grant writing, and the establishment of a modern simulation center to improve training while generating income. The PS emphasised a people-first strategy, prioritising staff welfare, patient safety, and community health.
