By Hope Barbra
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) will undertake public participation on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
The public participation will inform Kisumu residents, stakeholders, and members of the public about the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Public Participation Meetings on the proposed expansion and upgrading of the hospital.
The proposed project seeks to transform JOOTRH into a modern 2,000-bed Level 6A Referral Hospital.
The first phase comprises a 250-bed Trauma and Critical Care Wing, and members of the public are invited to participate.
“We invited residents to attend, learn more about the proposed project, and share their views, comments, concerns, and recommendations as part of the ESIA process. Your voice matters in shaping the future of healthcare in Kisumu and the wider Lake Region,” read the statement.
Mental health study
JOOTRH has also welcomed a proposal for the NeuroGAP2 Mental Health Study.
JOOTRH welcomed a proposal to conduct the Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations (NeuroGAP2) study in Kisumu, with discussions focusing on how the research can support better understanding of mental health conditions.
Recently, the research team, led by Prof. Lukoye Atwoli of Aga Khan University Medical College East Africa and including Dr Linnet Ongeri of KEMRI, met JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Joshua Clinton Okise and later held discussions with the hospital’s mental health teams and other relevant staff.
Dr Okise said mental health was an important part of healthcare and should receive attention alongside other health needs. He also stressed the importance of staff wellness, noting that the wellbeing of healthcare workers matters in supporting quality patient care.
The proposed NeuroGAP2 study will look at the genetic factors linked to psychotic disorders among African populations, particularly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The researchers also want to better understand the mental health services available, where patients seek care, and the challenges they face along their care journey.
The team was exploring JOOTRH and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH) as possible study sites.
Discussions also focused on community and ethical issues that may need to be considered when conducting mental health and genetic research in Kisumu.
The study would involve adults with psychotic disorders and control participants. Participants would undergo mental health assessments and provide saliva samples for genetic testing. The researchers have also outlined measures to ensure participants understand the study and are able to give informed consent.
The proposed study could also provide opportunities for training in genetics, psychiatry, epidemiology, and informatics, while supporting local research skills.
NeuroGAP2 is still at the proposal and planning stage, with feedback from JOOTRH and county teams expected to help shape the study before the necessary approvals are sought.
Heart camp
The hospital is set to hold its inaugural Open Heart Surgical Camp from 14th–20th September 2026.
The camp will target patients with:
- Valvular stenosis
- Valvular insufficiency
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Cardiac tumours
Screening is ongoing every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at the Consultants’ Clinic.
Surgical Camp: 14th–20th September 2026.
