JOOTRH expands with 124 beds, targets 1,000 by December

In a bold step toward transforming healthcare delivery in Western Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has added 124 new beds in a soon-to-be-launched orthopaedic trauma ward, part of a new specialized block expected to hold 1,000 beds by December 2025.

This ambitious expansion is aimed at enhancing access to quality specialised care and ending the long-standing challenge of bed sharing at the region’s largest public hospital.

The new 1,000-bed target is not for the entire hospital but specifically for a dedicated specialty wing that will house orthopaedic services, a High Dependency Unit (HDU), and a state-of-the-art Burns Unit.

These developments come on the heels of JOOTRH’s recent upgrade to a Level 6 national referral hospital, officially gazetted by President William Ruto on June 18, 2025.

This elevation, from a county-managed facility to a national parastatal under the Ministry of Health, is already opening new doors in funding, staffing, and service delivery.

“We are not just adding numbers; we’re building capacity where it matters most,” said Ms. Teresa Okiri, the Senior Director of Nursing Services at JOOTRH.

“This 1,000-bed block will be entirely dedicated to specialized care. It’s about dignity, privacy, and delivering services that meet international healthcare standards.”

The newly acquired 124 beds have been installed in the orthopaedic trauma ward and are already transforming the hospital’s ability to respond to the increasing number of patients suffering from fractures and complex bone injuries.

In the next four weeks, the hospital plans to operationalize an additional 100 beds specifically for the adjacent HDU and Burns Unit, significantly boosting its critical care capacity.

“These are not just any beds. They are purpose-built, mobile, and fitted with essential features such as safety rails, drip stands, and firm orthopedic-grade mattresses,” Ms. Okiri explained.

“They allow us to transfer patients easily between departments and maintain comfort for those with serious injuries or conditions.”

In addition to increasing bed capacity, JOOTRH is also revamping its entire operational model. Consultant workflows are being reorganized into well-defined specialty blocks, including medical, surgical, paediatric, obstetric, and gynaecology departments.

This restructuring is intended to reduce patient delays, ensure efficient use of staff expertise, and improve overall quality of care.

One of the most significant transformations underway is the development of Obama Children’s Hospital, located within JOOTRH, into a standalone, fully operational 24/7 paediatric hospital.

The facility will offer dedicated care to children from birth to age 12 and include a pharmacy, a laboratory, and plans for a radiology unit. It will also house a paediatric High Dependency Unit, equipped to manage children with life-threatening conditions.

The hospital is also set to replace dialysis beds with more comfortable, space-saving dialysis chairs and is in the process of acquiring 50 three-crank orthopaedic traction beds to better manage patients with spine and limb fractures.

These upgrades align with recent policy directions from Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who emphasized during a session with the National Assembly Health Committee that hospitals must admit patients strictly within their licensed bed capacities.

CS Duale warned that any claims submitted to the Social Health Authority (SHA) for patients sharing beds would be considered fraudulent.

Ms. Okiri affirmed the hospital’s commitment to upholding these national health standards. “Our CS has given us a clear mandate to end bed sharing and to observe the privacy and dignity of patients. At JOOTRH, we’ve taken this to heart,” she said.

She further explained that the hospital’s specialty wards are being designed with both clinical efficiency and patient safety in mind. The orthopedic beds, for instance, come with wheels for mobility, rails for safety, and built-in drip stands that help reduce clutter in ward spaces. The firm mattresses used are particularly helpful for patients with fractures, spinal injuries, or chronic back pain.

“The beds are ergonomic, secure, and designed to support patients through long periods of recovery,” said Ms. Okiri. “They also help our nurses deliver care more efficiently.”

In the reproductive health division, the hospital has a maternity theatre, postnatal ward, newborn unit, and a gynaecology ward.