Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has achieved a major medical milestone after successfully performing its first-ever peritoneal dialysis on a 17-day-old infant.

The breakthrough makes JOOTRH the first medical facility in the Western Kenya region to offer this highly specialized neonatal service.

Previously, critically ill children in the region requiring dialysis had to be referred to distant facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi or Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.

The 17-day-old newborn had been diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI), a life-threatening condition that can result from severe dehydration, birth complications, infections, or congenital abnormalities affecting kidney function in newborns.

Witnessing the milestone procedure, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Andrew Toro, hailed the operation as a significant advancement in specialized neonatal care and a major step toward improving survival outcomes for critically ill newborns.

Dr. Toro noted that the introduction of peritoneal dialysis services at JOOTRH directly aligns with the government’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Rapid Results Initiative, which aims to ensure every mother and newborn has access to quality, timely, and lifesaving healthcare.

The glaring gap for pediatric renal care in the country is backed by data. A National Treasury report from February 2025 indicated that during the 2020/21 financial year, 2,083 pediatric hemodialysis sessions and eight kidney transplants were conducted, alongside 6,037 general dialysis sessions.

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr.Toro emphasized that the intricate procedure is fully covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) benefit package.

“This ensures that eligible families do not incur out-of-pocket expenses while seeking specialized treatment for their children,” Dr. Toro said, urging Kenyans to register with SHA to access quality healthcare without facing financial hardship.

JOOTRH Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joshua Okise, reiterated that the local availability of this service will significantly reduce the burden of long-distance referrals.

“The hospital has invested heavily in the necessary equipment and specialist teams required to perform this procedure,” Dr. Okise said. “We are confident that JOOTRH will now become a regional centre of excellence for neonatal and pediatric kidney care.”

Dr. Toro also underscored the importance of breastfeeding which is a preventive care, noting that adequate maternal and neonatal nutrition and hydration are critical in preventing complications that lead to acute kidney injuries.

The successful procedure was attended by senior Ministry of Health officials, including Dr. Nancy Njeru (Director of Health Financing, Digital Health, Policy, and Research Standards) and Mr. Raymond Ochieng (Senior Technical Advisor).

The successful procedure was the culmination of months of preparation, training and teamwork involving pediatricians, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, theatre personnel and support teams. Hospital specialists underwent intensive training and mentorship to ensure the facility was fully prepared to safely offer the procedure.

According to Dr. Lollah Mollah, acute kidney injury remains one of the serious conditions affecting critically ill newborns and children. The availability of peritoneal dialysis at JOOTRH will significantly improve survival outcomes for patients who previously faced delays associated with referrals to distant facilities.

The procedure was successfully performed through the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team comprising surgeons Dr. C.S. Otieno and Dr. Steve Muholo; anaesthetists Dr. Eddy Mboya, Dr. Brian Sipul, Dr. Zainab Ganzala and Dr. Zulekha Mwinyi; anaesthesia resident Dr. Frida Ngode; paediatricians Dr. Mollah, Dr. Sharon, Dr. Kutta and Dr. Wycliffe, Resident; Dr.Mulonga Laura; theatre nurses Nicolate Maiso, Beryl Onyango, Emily Osire and Gladys Osita; paediatric ward nurses Jane Tombe, Jenipher Rono, Beatrice Aketch, Lavine Nyolo and Sheila Winga; theatre technologist Paul Onoka; supply chain staff Kenneth Kute, Milicent Amondi and Mary Atieno; and HND student Ruth Wabwoba, alongside other clinical and support staff who contributed to the successful outcome.

Also present were Dr. Nancy Njeru, Director of Health Financing, Digital Health, Policy and Research Standards at the Ministry of Health, and Mr. Raymond Ochieng, Senior Technical Advisor, who commended the hospital’s efforts in expanding specialised healthcare services and improving access to advanced paediatric care.