𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐉𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐈 𝐎𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋

The Departmental Committee on Health has pledged to support Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to strengthen service delivery and improve patient care.

The Committee made the commitment today during a budget oversight visit to the facility in Kisumu City, Kisumu County. 

The delegation held a meeting with the hospital’s top management, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Okise, and Board Chairperson Dr. Charles Onudi, before being taken on a guided tour of the facility.

The management briefed the Committee on the hospital’s performance and challenges, including inadequate budgetary allocations that have affected its operations.

Among the key concerns was the funding required to complete and equip the hospital’s cancer centre. The management said the project requires an additional KSh172 million to complete construction and US$14 million (approximately KSh1.82 billion) to equip the facility.

“We need approximately KSh2 billion for the cancer centre to be completed and become operational. This will save thousands of patients from the region the cost and inconvenience of travelling to Nairobi for cancer treatment,” said Dr. Okise.

In response, Hon. Sunkuli and Committee Members Hon. Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Hon. Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Hon. Mary Maingi (Mwea) and Hon. Pauline Lenguris (Samburu County)and Hon. Titus Khamala (Lurambi) said the hospital’s request for additional funding was justified.

“As a House team responsible for oversight of the health sector, we are committed to supporting you to deliver effectively. Count on our support,” Hon. Sunkuli told the management.

Hon. Oron urged the hospital’s leadership to submit a list of priority areas requiring additional funding to enable the Committee to consider the needs during its oversight engagements.

The Committee also urged the management to prioritise patients’ welfare and improve the quality of care.

Members observed that healthcare delivery should go beyond treating illnesses to ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, quality care throughout their hospital experience.