Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has announced plans to begin performing kidney transplants later this year to address the growing demand for renal care in the Lake Region.
The move comes amidst concerns over the rising number of patients on dialysis and kidney care exerting pressure on health facilities in the area.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Richard Lesiyampe said with the elevation of the facility to a level 6A National Referral Hospital, plans were underway to expand the renal unit and roll out kidney transplants to give a lease of life to kidney patients.
The transplant services, he said, will be offered in collaboration with a consortium of highly skilled doctors and specialists from across the Lake region.
“We have highly qualified and experienced consultants in this region. That is why JOOTRH is going to partner with the specialists from Maseno University, other health facilities and, if need be, other parts of the country to roll out this service,” he said.
The partnership, he added, will see the professionals come together to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care before, during, and after the transplant procedure.
Addressing the media in Kisumu during World Kidney Day celebrations, Dr. Lesiyampe noted that the regional collaboration will also enhance the sharing of knowledge and skills among healthcare workers, ultimately improving the overall quality of care in the region.
“We are bringing together the best minds in the Lake region to ensure that kidney transplant procedures at JOOTRH are carried out at the highest standards. This is not just about offering a service; it’s about building capacity within our region to provide high-quality healthcare that can compete with the best in the country,” he added.
Currently, many patients in need of kidney transplants, he said, are forced to travel long distances to hospitals in Nairobi and outside the country, placing an additional burden on them both financially and emotionally.
“The introduction of kidney transplant services at JOOTRH will significantly improve access to life-saving treatments for patients suffering from kidney failure, who previously had to seek transplant services far from home. This initiative will be a game-changer not only for Kisumu County but for the entire Lake Region,” he said.
The hospital, he said, has already begun preparations to ensure the successful launch of the transplant programme.
These include setting up a specialised renal unit where 17 state-of-the-art dialysis machines have been installed.
Additionally, the hospital, he said, has employed a nephrologist and a team of specialist nurses to run the unit.
Kidney failure, he said, was a big health concern in Kisumu and the neighbouring counties, with many people suffering from conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases, which ultimately lead to renal failure.
“In Kisumu alone we have about 350 patients on renal care, with 60 of them on dialysis at JOOTRH. This paints a picture of how the situation is in the region,” he said.
The cost of dialysis, which is often the only treatment option for kidney failure patients, he added, remained prohibitive for many Kenyans.
JOOTRH Head of Nephrology, Dr. Florentius Ndinya, said the facility has rolled out sensitisation and awareness to ensure that the disease is detected early and proper medication is initiated to correct it.
He added that through sensitisation, the community will be educated on the need to donate kidneys to support patients with renal failure.
Dr. Ndinya said the majority of patients seeking kidney treatment at the facility were between 30-50 years old and were actively engaged in nation-building, emphasising the need for kidney education to avert the disease.
By Chris Mahandara
