Story By Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ogega Ondari.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital’s (JOOTRH) Wellness Centre provides a safe space for individuals recovering from drug and substance use, proving that recovery goes beyond medication.
In a session held at the hospital’s main boardroom, clients showcased impressive talents and income-generating activities that help them manage addiction while reintegrating positively into society.
Among the skills displayed were artworks, handmade bead crafts, locally produced lavender and passion-flavoured liquid soap, and a woven mat which were presented as gift to the hospital’s CEO, Dr. Richard Lesiyampe. These clients are from diverse backgrounds including a teacher, peer educator, truck driver, tent maker, and a paralegal.
These individuals are not just recovering but actively proving to the community that they are valuable and productive members of society. Through outreach programs and football matches involving both clients and staff, the centre fosters inclusivity and combats stigma.
Despite these strides, the centre faces challenges in retaining clients, with only 98 currently active. Factors such as transport constraints, stigma, and migration have contributed to this decline.
Two compelling success stories stood out during the session. A former truck driver, Mr. Kennedy Ndegwa recounted his five-year struggle with drug addiction, which began during his work trips to Mombasa, a region known for widespread drug use. The addiction derailed his career and marriage leading to financial ruin as he spent all his earnings on drugs. Sadly, his wife also became addicted, and together they lost everything they once owned. Determined to reclaim their lives, Mr. Ndegwa sought help at JOOTRH’s Wellness Center in 2022 after a friend’s recommendation. With methadone therapy, counselling, and continuous support, he not only regained stability but also started referring other affected individuals to the centre.
Mr. Martin Akach, a junior secondary school teacher, also shared how he became addicted to pethidine during a month-long hospitalization for a severe pancreatic condition. Initially administered as a pain management drug, pethidine became a dependency that controlled his life after discharge. When his condition worsened, he sought help at JOOTRH Wellness Center, where he received compassionate counselling from Ms. Betty Onyango and embarked on a recovery journey. The wellness team also conducted follow-ups at his home to ensure he was progressing. Today, Akach is sober and grateful for the unwavering support that helped him reclaim his life.
The Wellness Centre at JOOTRH provides a comprehensive range of services aimed at supporting recovery and promoting overall health. These include opioid substitution therapy through methadone treatment, which helps individuals overcome opioid addiction by managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The centre also offers HIV/AIDS testing, vaccination for viral hepatitis, TB diagnosis and prevention, gender-based violence screening and management, mental health screening, and counselling services. Through these integrated services, clients receive holistic care that addresses both their physical and psychosocial needs, fostering long-term recovery and wellness.
With the support of Dr. Lesiyampe and the executive team, the centre aims to enhance outreach programs, secure partnerships, allocate budgets for unit activities, and create safe spaces for both clients and psychosocial support teams. Dr. Lesiyampe was particularly impressed by the clients’ talents and pledged to register a business name to empower them further.
Plans are underway to establish a 250-bed capacity mental health and wellness facility in Kombewa. Future plans also include setting up a gym for fitness and holistic healing.
Present in the meeting were also a dedicated team including Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Dedan Ong’ong’a, Director of Finance and Administration, Dr. Joshua Okise, Director of Nursing Services Mrs. Teresa Okiri, a pharmacist, lab technologist, psychosocial counsellors, and clinical officer.
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