The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has officially been elevated to a Level C5 parastatal, placing it in the same category as public universities.

The announcement was made by Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, during a tour of the facility on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Dr. Oluga said the shift from county to national status must be felt immediately, urging the hospital’s management to embrace its new role and responsibilities.

He noted that the upgrade is designed to make JOOTRH more competitive in attracting and retaining skilled health professionals while also steering it toward long-term financial stability.

According to him, the government intends to gradually phase out tax-based funding for national referral hospitals over the next five years.

He encouraged the leadership to diversify sources of income through clinical research, grant-writing, and the creation of a modern simulation centre, which would serve as both a training hub and a revenue generator.

“The facility is expected to change the story of health in this region,” Dr. Oluga said, while calling for a people-first approach that prioritises staff welfare, patient safety, and community health.

He stressed the need for specialists to mentor younger colleagues and revealed that a new hospital board will be appointed before the end of the month.

Oluga also challenged the hospital to improve follow-up care for patients and to design a strong public health strategy aimed at tackling preventable diseases that continue to strain the region.

He said the elevation should not only strengthen clinical services but also position the hospital as a leader in medical research and innovation.