For decades, critically ill patients from the Lake Basin region endured long ambulance transfers to Eldoret or Nairobi in search of specialised treatment.
Today, that trend is steadily reversing as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) strengthens its capacity to manage complex cases locally.
New hospital data shows a sharp decline in outbound referrals to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), signaling growing confidence in the Kisumu-based facility’s ability to handle advanced medical interventions.
Outbound Referrals drop sharply
Between September and December 2025, JOOTRH referred out only five to seven patients per month — a significant shift for a regional referral hospital that previously transferred dozens of critical cases.
In September, six patients were referred to higher facilities. October recorded five cases, November seven and December six.
Most of the transferred cases involved highly specialised niche procedures, with the majority of critically ill patients now treated in-house.
At the same time, inward referrals increased markedly. The hospital received 378 referred patients in September, rising to 452 in October before recording 328 in November and 313 in December.
The Accident and Emergency department handled the highest number of referrals, receiving 189 cases in September, 223 in October, peaking at 285 in November and slightly easing to 283 in December.
The maternity unit also experienced a notable surge, with referrals rising from 103 in September to 175 in October. The Obama Children’s Hospital wing maintained steady patient numbers throughout the quarter, while Prime Care Hospital, JOOTRH’s private wing, managed 41 referrals in September and sustained operations across the period.
Strategic investments driving change
Hospital administrators attribute the turnaround to deliberate investments in specialised equipment and targeted recruitment of skilled personnel.
Speaking during a consultancy meeting between management and clinical teams, Director of Clinical Services Dr. Dedan Ongonga said the acquisition of advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment was steadily eliminating the need for external referrals.
“The acquisition of advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment is steadily eliminating the need for external referrals,” Dr. Ongonga said.
Among key upgrades is the implementation of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the radiology department. The system is expected to reduce waiting times for imaging reports and improve diagnostic accuracy.
The hospital has also authorized the purchase of critical reproductive health equipment, including suction machines, ventilators and a carbon-extracting machine, as part of plans to establish four specialised reproductive health units supported by three functional theatres.
In internal medicine, management plans to install four High Dependency Unit beds each in Ward 8 and Ward 9 to decentralise critical care services and ease pressure on the main intensive care units.
Towards a centre of excellence
JOOTRH Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Okise said additional specialised improvements are underway in dental and ophthalmology departments.
“We are installing aesthetic machines that will enable paediatric dental procedures and delicate eye surgeries to be conducted within the departments,” Dr. Okise said.
He added that the hospital has acquired new urology equipment to enhance surgical capacity, noting that most of the essential equipment is already on the way.
Dr. Okise reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to transforming into a fully-fledged centre of excellence for the Lake Basin region.
With referrals flowing into Kisumu instead of out of it, JOOTRH’s expanding specialised services mark a significant milestone in regional healthcare delivery — reducing costly long-distance transfers and bringing advanced medical care closer to home.
