The entrance to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH)/FAITH MATETEThe Ministry of Health has formed a technical transition committee to steer the transformation of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital into a national parastatal, following its recent gazettement.
In a communication signed by Health PS Ouma Oluga, James Ntabo has been appointed to chair the newly formed team.
Other appointed members of the transition team bring a wealth of experience from national and county levels, and include JOOTRH chief executive officer Richard Lesiyampe, Rebecca Kiptui, Ruth Bosire, Stephen Macharia, Francis Muteti, Edith Torome, Racheal Nyamwai, Alice Machanga and Judy Chepkirui.
Also on the committee are Kisumu health chief officer Joshua Lusi and finance chief officer Martin Opiyo.
The transition committee’s primary task is to ensure a smooth and structured shift from county oversight to full national status.
Among the core responsibilities assigned to the team is the streamlining of human resource instruments, with a focus on the transition of staff, aligning salary structures and job grading systems, managing pension plans and establishing a new staffing framework suited for a parastatal institution.
Beyond personnel matters, the committee is also expected to conduct a thorough review of the hospital’s grading to confirm its new classification and operational level within the national healthcare framework.
A critical element of their work will involve coordinating the complete handover of JOOTRH’s assets and liabilities.
This includes the physical infrastructure, land holdings and other key facilities under the hospital’s purview, notably Victoria Hospital.
To effectively undertake these assignments, the transition committee will engage with several strategic national agencies, including the Public Service Department, the State Corporations Advisory Council, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Retirements Benefits Authority.
The establishment of this transition committee marks a significant milestone in the evolution of JOOTRH, which has long served as a major referral facility for western Kenya.
As it assumes national parastatal status, the hospital is expected to scale up its service delivery, infrastructure and human capital to match the demands of a national health institution.
