Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital embarks on ward renovation in new expansion plan

The renovations, according to acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Joshua Clinton Okise, are important in improving services in the facility.

“We are in the process of having the wards renovated so that patients can get the best health services in accordance to the upgraded status of the hospital. The wards renovation project is among the several improvement initiatives we have lined up to completely change the hospital,” said Dr Okise.

The hospital last week informed patients, referring health facilities, stakeholders and the general public that renovation works on six (6) theatres are ongoing. Currently, four (4) theatres remain operational, allowing the Hospital to continue providing surgical services.

Dr Okise has assured patients that surgical services would continue during the renovation period, with the refurbished theatres expected to progressively resume operations after the necessary inspections and commissioning.

“The renovation works are progressing well and are expected to be completed within one month, after which the renovated theatres will progressively resume operations following the necessary inspection and commissioning,” he stated.

The hospital has an ambitious master plan that will see the facility expand into a 2,000-bed regional referral, teaching and research hospital in the coming years.

The proposed development aims to strengthen access to specialised healthcare services while enhancing medical training and research in western Kenya. Its feasibility study and architectural designs have already been presented to the hospital's executive committee.

The expansion will be undertaken in phases, with the first stage focusing on the construction of a modern eight-storey hospital complex with a capacity of 500 beds.

The project is expected to significantly improve the institution's ability to handle complex medical cases and growing patient numbers.

According to the proposal, the first phase will feature a wide range of specialised facilities, including medical and surgical wards, a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a 20-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU), a renal care centre, and a 28-bed Accident and Emergency department.

The facility will also house 20 operating theatres, specialist outpatient clinics, a rehabilitation centre and a dental unit with 15 treatment stations.

To support service delivery, the hospital plans to expand diagnostic and support departments such as radiology, laboratory services and physiotherapy, while also providing additional administrative space.

The new complex will incorporate sustainability and emergency response features, including solar power installations, water storage systems and a rooftop helipad.

A second phase of development will add another 600-bed hospital block alongside a Doctors' Plaza and additional clinical support infrastructure.

Once all phases are completed, JOOTRH is expected to reach a total bed capacity of 2,000, making it one of Kenya's largest referral and teaching hospitals.  Beyond healthcare facilities, the master plan proposes several supporting developments to accommodate future growth.

They include staff housing under the Affordable Housing Programme, expanded training and research centres, a modern logistics hub, enhanced parking facilities and improved traffic management within the hospital grounds.

Hospital management says the project is intended to create an integrated medical city capable of providing advanced treatment services while supporting medical education and scientific research.

The hospital is targeting completion of the first phase by 2030 as part of efforts to enhance specialised healthcare services and strengthen JOOTRH's role as a leading referral, teaching and research institution.

The planned expansion comes at a time when demand for specialised healthcare continues to rise across western Kenya, with JOOTRH serving as a key referral centre for millions of residents from the region and neighbouring counties.