By Sherine Atieno and Sherrick Omondi.                                                                                                                       Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) recently hosted a meeting with Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH) to share best practices and innovative strategies for improving their financial health.

The event, led by JOOTRH’s cost-sharing committee chairperson, Edward Kojiema, emphasized the critical role of cost-sharing in maintaining hospital operations. Discussions focused on effective financial management and resource mobilization.

Mr. Alex Ochieng, Senior Hospital Administrator from KCRH presented key areas of their program, highlighting the importance of collaboration between departments and hospital management in setting achievable revenue targets. He stressed the need for robust procedures to collect and manage departmental revenue, alongside standardized billing practices for inpatients.

The importance of monitoring financial trends and ensuring alignment with performance contracts set by the Ministry of Health was also discussed. Efficient handling of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) processes, including monitoring contributions and ensuring patient enrollment, was recognized as crucial for revenue generation.

Teresa Okiri, Director of Nursing Services, highlighted the need for pre-authorization from NHIF for patients requiring surgery. This ensures proper accounting for funds received from NHIF.

Discussions also explored revenue generation opportunities in various departments like pharmacy, radiology, and rehabilitation. Innovative ideas, such as a structured credit platform for patients unable to pay their bills, were proposed. Mr. Ochieng clarified the distinction between credit and waivers, emphasizing the challenges of follow-up for credit plans.

The exchange program concluded with a strong commitment from both hospitals to implement the valuable insights gained. This collaboration is expected to significantly improve financial management and sustainability for both JOOTRH and KCRH.