Victoria hospital: Victoria Hospital, an annex of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), has reported significant progress in its first year of operations, enhancing access to specialised care for patients with sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and specific surgical conditions. The facility, operational since February 2024, now functions as a comprehensive 24-hour service center offering both outpatient and inpatient care.
According to Kenya News Agency, JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Joshua Okise stated that the facility currently manages an average of about 1,700 outpatient visits monthly, along with a growing number of inpatient admissions, reflecting increasing patient confidence and utilization of its services. The rise in patient numbers has in turn increased revenue collection, boosting the hospital's capacity to sustain its operational needs.
Among the notable clinical achievements, Dr. Okise highlighted the successful apheresis treatment of five patients with sickle cell disease, noting that none of the patients required hospitalization post-procedure. This result underscores the effectiveness of apheresis in mitigating recurrent sickle cell crises and enhancing quality of life, compared to conventional therapies that often provide only temporary relief.
The facility has established weekly sickle cell clinics to maintain continuity of care and has expanded its service offerings to include minor gynecological procedures such as myomectomy and McDonald stitch surgeries. Speaking at an end-of-year staff celebration, Dr. Okise commended the staff for realizing the annex's vision despite initial challenges with limited equipment, furniture, and personnel.
Dr. Okise revealed that the hospital administration is in the process of mobilizing resources to enhance operations at the annex, with plans to deploy a standby ambulance early next year to bolster emergency response and referral services. Additionally, an apheresis machine is expected to be installed at the facility by January next year, complemented by work-based training for staff to ensure sustainability and technical expertise.
He projected that these developments could elevate monthly revenue collections at the facility to approximately Sh10 million. Dr. Okise encouraged the staff to maintain accountability in revenue collection, emphasizing that sound financial management would empower the annex to independently procure essential supplies rather than rely solely on the main hospital.
JOOTRH Director of Human Capital Nereah Ochieng stressed the importance of continuous professional development, asserting that the expansion of services must be accompanied by enhanced skills and leadership capacity among staff.