Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is set to unveil a fully equipped heart surgery unit to improve access to specialised healthcare across the Lake Region.
The new centre will be supported by two returning cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, Dr Juma Odoro and Dr Robert Sadia, who recently completed five years of specialised training.
Their expertise is expected to usher in a new era of complex cardiac procedures at the Kisumu-based referral facility.
JOOTRH Acting Chief Executive Officer Joshua Okise said plans were underway to procure a state-of-the-art lung system and equipment to run the centre.
Among them, he said, is the Essenz Perfusion System – a heart-lung machine designed to enhance precision and patient safety through real-time, data-driven monitoring during surgery.
Once acquired, the machine will make JOOTRH the fourth hospital in Kenya to operate the Essenz system, joining established cardiac centres such as Tenwek Hospital and Nairobi Hospital,” he said.
Okise added the hospital has formed a technical team to oversee the procurement process and ensure the successful rollout of the cardiac programme.
“The Essenz Perfusion System will position JOOTRH as a regional hub for cardiovascular treatment. Our goal is to ensure that patients in the Lake Region can access life-saving heart surgery without having to travel hundreds of kilometres,” he said.
He added that the hospital was also strengthening its human resource base through the training of perfusionists, cardiac anaesthesiologists, and biomedical engineers to support the new unit and maintain its operations sustainably.
Okise noted that the hospital’s focus was not only on treatment but also on awareness and prevention.
“We are investing in technology and expertise to bring comprehensive cardiac care closer to our people,” he said.
“This is a game-changer for the Lake Region and a major step toward equitable access to specialised health services,” he noted.
Currently, the western region depends heavily on Tenwek Hospital, which performs about 150 cardiovascular surgeries annually.
With the new system in place, JOOTRH is expected to significantly expand its capacity and improve access to specialised cardiac services.
The development comes amid growing concern over the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Kenya.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CVDs account for 14 per cent of total deaths and 25 per cent of hospital admissions nationally.
Many victims are under 70 years of age, with lifestyle-related factors such as poor diet, stress, and inactivity contributing to the trend.
