Kisumu: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital's specialized Pediatric Facility, Obama Children's Hospital, is set to become semi-autonomous on 1st July 2025 in an effort to enhance service delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe announced that the transformation aims to establish the hospital as a fully-fledged pediatric center of excellence in the region. During the International Nurses Week celebrations, Dr. Lesiyampe highlighted that the hospital will soon operate its own laboratory, emergency department, and pediatric oncology wing, which are part of efforts to elevate the facility to a world-class standard.
The facility will be equipped with new portable X-ray and ultrasound machines to mitigate delays caused by the current distance to the radiology department within the larger JOOTRH. Additionally, all wards will undergo child-friendly renovations to refresh the facility's environment as it moves towards semi-autonomy.
Dr. Lesiyampe emphasized that as JOOTRH transitions to a national referral hospital and state parastatal under the Ministry of Health, Obama Children's Hospital will continue to advance pediatric care. Pediatric Unit Manager Elizabeth Oyieko commended the nurses for their dedication and compassion, noting their significant role in putting the hospital on the map.
Head of Pediatric Department Dr. Joy Muyonga underscored the indispensable role of nurses in the healthcare system, highlighting their contribution to the hospital's daily operations. She noted that patient outcomes heavily rely on the resilience and care provided by the nursing staff.
During the celebrations, nurses proposed the introduction of child-friendly scrubs to ease anxiety among young patients and reflected on the fulfillment they find in their vocation of saving young lives.