Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, accompanied by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) CEO Dr. Clinton Okise,at the Victoria Annex Hospital in Kisumu during an inspection of the facility's specialized sickle cell disease services ahead of World Sickle Cell Day.[Rodgers Otiso, Standard]
The national government has announced plans to transform Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) into a Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease in Africa, as part of efforts to improve care and quality of life for thousands of patients living with the condition.
The announcement was made by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga during a visit to the hospital on Friday, where he led county chief officers in reviewing progress in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms and showcased specialized sickle cell treatment services available at the facility ahead of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19.
Dr Oluga said the government is keen on addressing the long-standing challenges faced by sickle cell patients, particularly in regions with a high disease burden such as Nyanza, Western Kenya and the Coast.
