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.