JOOTRH secures regional accreditation to train orthopaedic surgeons

Story and photos by Ian Obadha The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) Orthopaedic Surgery Training Program has received official approval from the regional professional surgical body, marking a breakthrough for the hospital and a significant boost to specialized surgical care in Western Kenya. The College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) has accredited JOOTRH as a specialist training centre for Orthopaedic Surgery, with the approval taking effect in January 2026. COSECSA is a leading professional body dedicated to postgraduate surgical education and training across the East, Central and Southern Africa region. In a letter confirming the accreditation, COSECSA Chief Executive Officer Stella Itungu stated that JOOTRH had met the required standards and is now approved as a training centre for aspiring orthopaedic surgeons. The program will equip trainees with the skills necessary to manage complex orthopaedic conditions. The program—one of the first of its kind in the region—will offer a comprehensive curriculum covering trauma and emergency care, joint replacement surgery, sports injuries, and paediatric orthopaedics. Its introduction is expected to significantly expand the hospital’s capacity while elevating the overall standard of orthopaedic care in the region. The COSECSA-accredited program is anticipated to have a profound impact on Western Kenya. Patients will benefit from reduced need to travel long distances for specialized orthopaedic services, while healthcare professionals will gain expanded opportunities for advanced training and specialization. The initiative seeks to bridge existing healthcare gaps and promote more equitable access to essential surgical services. The accreditation is valid for five years, during which JOOTRH will undergo periodic evaluations to ensure continued compliance with COSECSA’s high standards of training and service delivery. This commitment supports the hospital’s dedication to quality, sustainable and continuous improvement in orthopaedic care. Since its establishment in 1999, COSECSA has trained and graduated hundreds of surgeons, many of whom have remained in their countries of training—an outcome JOOTRH expects to benefit from significantly as it builds local surgical capacity. The accreditation aligns with JOOTRH’s broader allegiance to excellence in clinical outcomes. Speaking on the milestone, Dr. Ceaser Bitta, General surgeon from Maseno University, noted that the approval reflects the hospital’s dedication to high-quality healthcare, surgical training, and research. Dr. Bitta emphasized that by training a new generation of orthopaedic surgeons, JOOTRH aims to reduce the burden of orthopeadic disease, improve access to specialized care, and enhance surgical outcomes. The initiative is set to transform orthopaedic care in Western Kenya, offering renewed hope and healing to countless patients.

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