General Surgery

The General Surgery Department at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) provides comprehensive surgical care for conditions affecting the neck, chest, and abdomen, delivering both routine and highly specialized interventions through a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, including cardiothoracic and vascular specialists. The department focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of diseases of the alimentary canal and abdominal organs—such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and appendix—alongside conditions involving the thyroid gland, breast, skin and soft tissues, hernias, peripheral artery disease, and trauma-related surgical emergencies.
Care is delivered through a combination of open surgery, laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures, and endoscopic interventions, enabling precise treatment with improved recovery outcomes. Specialist surgical clinics are held every Monday, providing structured access to consultant review, pre-operative assessment, and post-operative follow-up. The presence of cardiothoracic and vascular surgical expertise within the institution supports advanced procedures that would otherwise require referral outside the region, strengthening access to life-saving care locally.
The department is integrated with inpatient surgical wards and critical care services to ensure continuous monitoring and recovery support following procedures, particularly for complex and high-risk cases. This coordinated approach enhances patient safety, shortens hospital stay where possible, and improves overall surgical outcomes.
In support of specialized and chronic care management, services are complemented by the Prime Care Center (PCC), a dedicated unit within JOOTRH that provides advanced diagnostics, specialist consultations, and long-term management for complex medical conditions. Equipped with modern imaging and laboratory technologies—including sonography and specialized blood tests—PCC enables early detection and precise monitoring of conditions that may require surgical intervention. The centre also supports multidisciplinary care for chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatologic conditions, ensuring continuity between medical and surgical management.
The department’s expanding vascular and cardiothoracic capacity has significantly enhanced its ability to manage complex conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)—a potentially fatal enlargement of the body’s main artery. These conditions often develop silently and carry a high risk of sudden death if not detected and treated early. Through advanced surgical capability, including major vascular reconstruction procedures, the department is now able to intervene effectively, reducing mortality and improving patient survival.
By combining specialist expertise, modern surgical techniques, and integrated inpatient and outpatient care, the General Surgery Department at JOOTRH continues to strengthen access to safe, timely, and high-quality surgical services. This approach not only addresses immediate surgical needs but also contributes to long-term health outcomes by enabling early diagnosis, definitive treatment, and comprehensive post-operative care within a single institution.

OPHTHALMOLOGY
The Ophthalmology Department at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) provides comprehensive eye care services ensuring continuity of care from diagnosis to surgical management and inpatient recovery.
The department is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprising 2 ophthalmologists (consultant surgeons), 3 ophthalmic clinical officers, 2 ophthalmic nurses, 7 general nurses—four of whom are trained in ophthalmic care—alongside records and support staff.
Services are offered from Monday to Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the Eye Clinic, where patients undergo registration, clinical assessment, refraction, and specialist consultations for a wide range of eye conditions. The clinic manages an average of 60 patients daily, translating to approximately 1,800 patients per month, with about 15% requiring surgical intervention. Common conditions seen include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors, corneal diseases, and paediatric eye conditions. Treatment approaches include medical therapy, optical correction, minor and major surgical procedures, eye dressing, irrigation, injections, and patient counselling to support long-term management.
Surgical services are conducted within a dedicated ophthalmic theatre and are available daily based on patient need, with emergency procedures also handled during weekends and after hours. Following surgery, patients are admitted to the eye ward, where specialized inpatient care is provided, including post-operative monitoring, medication administration, wound care, and recovery support to ensure optimal visual outcomes and minimize complications.
The department is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical technology that enhances accuracy and treatment outcomes.
Key equipment includes a Fundus Camera for high-resolution retinal imaging and early detection of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, a Zeiss OPMI Lumera 300 microscope for precision in complex retinal and paediatric surgeries, an iCare Tonometer for painless intraocular pressure measurement, and a 3-step slit lamp for detailed eye examinations.
Beyond facility-based care, the department plays a critical role in community eye health through outreach programs and training of Community Health Promoters, extending services to underserved populations and strengthening early detection and referral systems. In collaboration with partners such as the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Ministry of Health, ongoing initiatives focus on reducing cataract-related blindness and promoting optical wellness through screening and sensitization programs.
Through its integrated approach—combining outpatient services at the Eye Clinic, surgical care, and inpatient management at the Eye Ward—the department continues to improve access to specialized eye care, prevent avoidable blindness, and enhance quality of life for patients across the region.

NEUROSURGERY
Neurosurgical services at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) provide specialized care for conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system.
The department is staffed by a growing team of three neurosurgeons, including a regional specialist who also serves as a lecturer at Maseno University, alongside two additional neurosurgeons who have recently rejoined the institution after advanced training, strengthening capacity for both routine and complex neurosurgical interventions.
Care is delivered through structured outpatient and inpatient services, with consultant neurosurgical clinics held every Tuesday, where patients undergo detailed assessment, imaging review, diagnosis, and surgical planning. The department manages a wide range of conditions including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain tumours, hydrocephalus, congenital anomalies, degenerative spine disease, and nerve compression syndromes. While many neurological conditions have traditionally been associated with older populations, there is an increasing number of cases among younger patients, including infants, particularly in conditions such as congenital brain abnormalities and early-onset tumours.
The causes of neurosurgical conditions are diverse and include road traffic accidents and trauma, falls, infections affecting the brain and spine, congenital malformations, tumours, degenerative changes due to aging or repetitive strain (such as prolonged heavy lifting), and vascular abnormalities. Early diagnosis remains critical, as many of these conditions can progress silently before presenting with severe neurological deficits.
Management is both surgical and non-surgical, depending on the condition and stage of disease. Surgical interventions include procedures such as craniotomies for brain tumours, evacuation of intracranial hematomas, spinal decompression and stabilization surgeries, and shunt placement for hydrocephalus. Non-surgical management involves medication, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and long-term monitoring, often coordinated through a multidisciplinary team to optimize recovery and functional outcomes. Post-operative care is provided within specialized wards and critical care settings to ensure close monitoring, complication prevention, and structured recovery.
To expand access to care, the department conducts quarterly neurosurgical camps in collaboration with the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative. These camps are preceded by targeted public awareness and outreach campaigns that inform the public about upcoming services, after which patients present to the hospital for screening, assessment, and scheduling of appropriate interventions. The initiative is open to all patients in need of neurosurgical care.
Given the typically high cost of neurosurgical procedures, the camps are structured to improve affordability, with support from the Social Health Authority (SHA) helping to significantly reduce the financial burden for eligible patients. Individuals who are registered and compliant with SHA requirements are able to access these specialized services at a much lower cost. Through this approach, the camps continue to enhance timely diagnosis, increase access to surgical care, and improve outcomes for patients requiring brain and spine interventions.
Through its expanding specialist workforce, structured clinic services, advanced surgical interventions, and community outreach programs, neurosurgery at JOOTRH continues to improve access to timely, life-saving care for patients with brain and spine conditions, while strengthening the region’s capacity to manage complex neurological disorders within a public healthcare setting.