Haemato-Oncology

Haemato-Oncology at JOOTRH
Haemato-oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of blood disorders and blood-related cancers. The specialty manages conditions affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including sickle cell disease, leukemia, lymphoma, anemia disorders, clotting disorders, and other hematological conditions requiring specialized care.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), haemato-oncology services continue to expand as part of the hospital’s commitment to strengthening specialized healthcare within the region. The facility provides comprehensive care through screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive therapy, counselling, and long-term follow-up for both children and adults living with hematological conditions and cancers.
The unit is supported by specialized healthcare professionals including a Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist alongside multidisciplinary teams comprising clinicians, nurses, laboratory personnel, counsellors, and support staff working together to provide patient-centred care.
Services are offered at both the Victoria Annex of JOOTRH and Prime Care Centre (PCC), the hospital’s private wing, improving accessibility for patients seeking specialized blood disorder and oncology care.
One of the major areas of focus within the unit is the management of sickle cell disease, which remains highly prevalent within the region. The hospital provides specialized clinics for both children and adults living with sickle cell disease, aimed at reducing complications, improving quality of life, and enhancing long-term survival outcomes.
Clinic schedules include:
• Adult Sickle Cell Clinic – Every Monday at Victoria Annex
• Paediatric Sickle Cell Clinic – Every Wednesday at Victoria Annex
• Both adult and paediatric clinic – Every Tuesday from 2:00 PM at Prime Care Centre
The facility also offers red cell exchange apheresis therapy , an advanced treatment that replaces abnormal sickled red blood cells with healthy donor red blood cells. This specialized procedure helps reduce complications associated with sickle cell disease including stroke, severe anaemia, acute chest syndrome, recurrent pain crises, and organ damage.
The introduction and expansion of automated red cell exchange transfusion services at Victoria Annex has significantly improved care for both children and adults living with sickle cell disease. The service supports safer transfusion management by reducing risks associated with repeated manual blood transfusions, including iron overload.
In addition to apheresis therapy, patients receive comprehensive supportive care including:
• Sickle cell screening and monitoring
• Hydroxyurea therapy
• Blood transfusion services
• Infection prevention and management
• Malaria prevention support
• Nutritional counselling
• Psychosocial support and counselling
• Long-term follow-up care
The hospital also continues to strengthen paediatric oncology services following the appointment of a Paediatric Haemato-Oncologist, marking a major milestone in improving access to childhood cancer care within the region.
Previously, many families were forced to travel long distances to national referral hospitals for specialized treatment. The availability of these services closer to home helps reduce financial strain on families while improving treatment continuity and patient outcomes.
Current oncology-related services at JOOTRH include:
• Cancer screening and prevention
• Chemotherapy treatment
• Surgical oncology support
• Palliative care services
• Haemato-oncology clinics and follow-up care
Patients requiring radiotherapy are currently referred to specialized radiotherapy centres including national referral facilities. However, JOOTRH is in the process of establishing a radiotherapy centre aimed at improving access to cancer treatment services within the Lake Region and reducing the burden associated with travel and accommodation costs for patients and families.
As JOOTRH advances toward enhanced specialized care as a Level 6A referral facility, the Haemato-Oncology unit continues to play a critical role in improving outcomes for patients living with blood disorders and cancers through early diagnosis, specialized treatment, supportive care, and continuous patient follow-up across the region.