Story by Sherine Atieno and Photos by Ondari Ogega

The acquisition of 124 additional beds to boost inpatient capacity marks a major milestone for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
With this addition, the hospital’s total capacity has risen from 676 to 800 beds, with plans to scale up to 1,000 beds by December. This expansion is set to ease congestion, eliminate bed sharing, and significantly enhance access to quality healthcare across the region.
Driving this growth is a soon-to-open orthopaedic trauma ward, now fitted with 120 beds. An adjacent High Dependency Unit (HDU) and specialized Burns Unit are expected to open by the end of August, adding an additional 100 beds. To support specialized orthopaedic care, plans are in place to acquire 50 three-crank orthopaedic traction beds that allows better patient support and alignment during recovery. In parallel, JOOTRH is transitioning from traditional dialysis beds to ergonomic dialysis chairs. The chairs are not only comfortable for patients but also allow better space utilization, enabling the hospital to accommodate more dialysis patients at any given time.
A significant operational shift is also underway, with the hospital reconfiguring consultant workflows. The new model will assign blocks—surgical, medical, paediatric, obstetric and gynaecology—where specialists can review patients simultaneously. This move is expected to drastically reduce delays and enhance the quality of care.
Additionally, the Obama Children’s Hospital, a specialized paediatric wing under JOOTRH, is set to become fully operational with 24/7 service delivery, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to providing round-the-clock specialized care.
Led by JOOTRH CEO Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, alongside Senior Director of Nursing Services Ms. Teresa Okiri and Director of Nursing Services Ms. Betty Onyango, the leadership team assessed progress in the orthopaedic wards, ensuring readiness for full operation. Dr. Lesiyampe emphasized that the goal is to guarantee every patient a bed and to improve overall workflow efficiency.
Once fully implemented, these changes will not only ease pressure on the main wards but also transform JOOTRH into a more agile, responsive, and patient-centered institution.