By Sherine Atieno. Siaya County resident Joseph Onyango Opondo, 50, has finally found relief after two decades of enduring excruciating pain. A former driver, Opondo’s life took a turn in 2001 when he began experiencing numbness and severe pain in his legs. “It started with a tingling sensation that gradually worsened,” Opondo recalls. “The pain became so intense that I could barely walk or stand for long periods.” For years, Opondo relied on painkillers and injections to manage the pain, but they offered little relief. In 2022, a visit to a local health facility led to an MRI scan at...
One-Year-Old Bruno Faces Brain Surgery with Hope at JOOTRH Camp.
Story By Sherine Atieno. Photos by Ondari Ogega . In the hushed moments before surgery, one-year-old Bruno Victor clung tightly to his mother’s arms, his tiny fingers a beacon of strength in a time of uncertainty. A shadow of concern clouded his usually bright eyes, hinting at the complex procedure he was about to face. For his young mother, this day was a poignant mix of fear and unwavering hope. Bruno’s health had taken a sudden turn just days prior. Persistent fever and constant sweating sent alarm bells ringing for his mother. Rushing him to the Obama Children’s...
Nyanza Region to Get First Radiotherapy Center
By Lorraine Anyango. Cancer patients in the Nyanza region are set to benefit from improved access to life-saving radiotherapy services. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is poised to become the region’s first facility to offer radiotherapy treatments. Previously, patients in the Nyanza region had to travel long distances to Eldoret or Nairobi to receive radiotherapy, often facing lengthy wait times. A recent meeting in Nairobi brought together key stakeholders, including Dr. Joseph Kimagut Sitienei, Director of Public Health, and Dr. Joan-Paula Bor-Malenya, Lead for Cancer Prevention, Early Detection & Screening at the National Cancer Control Program. The...
Government Steps Up to Lower Chemotherapy Costs, Expands Access
By Lorraine Anyango. The Ministry of Health is taking significant strides to reduce the cost of chemotherapy treatment for patients enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program. Currently, patients in Nairobi are benefiting from direct access to chemotherapy drugs, a move that has significantly lowered treatment costs. “The government is actively negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to secure lower prices for essential cancer drugs, including chemotherapy medications,” said Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa. Dr. Barasa emphasized that the government is working to increase access to life-saving chemotherapy for more Kenyans, particularly those in underserved areas. During a...
JOOTRH Celebrates Breast Cancer Survivors
JOOTRH Celebrates Breast Cancer Survivors Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) marked World Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special event titled “Cancer Sio Mwisho” (Cancer is Not the End). The event, organized by the Anchor of Hope Cancer Support Group, based at JOOTRH, focused on providing support and recognition to cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers. Breaking Stereotypes One of the event’s highlights was the story of Steve, a male breast cancer survivor from Siaya. His journey challenged the misconception that breast cancer is a disease exclusive to women. Diagnosed in 2018, Steve underwent grueling chemotherapy but...
JOOTRH Receives State-of-the-Art Kitchen from UNDP
By Lorraine Anyango. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has officially received a brand new, state-of-the-art kitchen from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Ms. Evelyn Koech, Team Lead for the Environment and Resilience Unit at UNDP, handed over the keys and documents to the facility’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Joshua Okise, today. This modern kitchen is not just ready for its official launch – it’s ready for use and equipped with everything needed to significantly improve meal services at JOOTRH. Patients, staff, and visitors will now benefit from a wider variety of fresh, nutritious...
