Story by Lorraine Anyango and Sherine Atieno
Photos by Ondari Ogega
A wave of optimism swept through Kisumu’s health sector today as Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale visited Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), pledging a KSh 500 million investment toward the completion of a state-of-the-art regional cancer centre. The promise brings renewed hope to thousands of cancer patients in the Lake Region who currently struggle to access specialized care.
Accompanied by Kisumu Governor H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, CS Duale presided over the commissioning of critical diagnostic equipment—including a 128-slice CT Scan and a mammogram machine—under the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP). A newly installed lift at the facility was also unveiled, symbolizing JOOTRH’s growing transformation into a modern regional referral hub.
Hon. Duale’s visit marked the rollout of Taifa Care and the activation of Kenya’s Digital Health Transformation Agenda, core components of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and constitutional right to health. Kisumu, recognized as a frontrunner in digital health innovation, was lauded by CS Duale for its remarkable progress. The county currently ranks fifth nationally in SHA (Social Health Authority) registration, with over 600,000 residents already enrolled out of a target population of 1.1 million.
“Kisumu County is setting the pace in SHA registration and digital health implementation. So far, 39 public health facilities have been digitized end-to-end—from patient registration to SHA claims,” said CS Duale.
He reaffirmed his ministry’s collaboration with county leadership and committed to training healthcare workers to operate within the digital health ecosystem.
In support of digital health implementation, Duale officially handed over 1,112 tablets with data connectivity to Kisumu health workers, ensuring ten years of seamless service at various facilities. High-level institutions also received connectivity infrastructure and power banks to complement the effort.
“We are here to transform healthcare,” said CS Duale, affirming the Ministry’s commitment to strengthen JOOTRH’s position as a premier regional referral hospital. “This cancer centre will serve not just Kisumu, but the entire Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) comprising 14 counties.”
He further commended JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CEO of JOOTRH, for his leadership and reiterated government plans to provide the hospital with necessary equipment and funding to actualize its full potential.
CS Duale emphasized the government’s strict stance against corruption and poor-quality health services, noting that over 1,000 non-compliant facilities had already been shut down, with more closures expected. “There will be no more ghost facilities, no ghost doctors, and no patient should ever sleep on the hospital floor again,” he declared.
Governor Prof. Nyong’o hailed the rollout, expressing confidence in the national government’s support to elevate JOOTRH to new heights.
In his remarks, MP Dr. Joshua Oron applauded the CS and Ministry of Health for the transformative SHA and DHA initiatives. “We’ve seen firsthand how SHA works—it works. Kisumu is setting an example,” he stated.
JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, speaking as the host, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering excellent clinical outcomes.
CS Duale’s delegation included Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, and DHA CEO Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara.
