KISUMU: October 27, 2025
The management of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has officially entered into an agreement with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to provide comprehensive medical cover for all its staff members.
This positive development was announced during a crucial meeting between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU), Kisumu Chapter, and the JOOTRH management team. The KMPDU delegation was led by Dr. Onyango Ndonga, Dr. Orwenyo Aggrey, Dr. Evans Sande, and Dr. Lucy Ombok, while the hospital’s leadership was represented by Ag. CEO Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise, Nursing Director Ms. Teresa Okiri, and Senior Director of Administration and Finance Mr. Evans Oloo.
The meeting, held amid the hospital’s ongoing transition process, centered on safeguarding staff welfare. Key among the union’s concerns were salary harmonization to match other Level 6 facilities, prompt remittance of union deductions, and restoration of the lapsed staff medical cover, a gap that had left hundreds of healthcare workers vulnerable.
Addressing the concerns, Dr. Okise confirmed that the issue of medical cover had been fully resolved.
“I am pleased to inform the union that the transition is in good progress, and we have entered into an agreement with SHA on October 15th to provide comprehensive medical cover to all 1,086 staff members,” said Dr. Okise.
On the matter of pay parity, Dr. Okise outlined the steps being taken to formalize JOOTRH as a Level 6 institution for employment and remuneration purposes.
“The HR instruments have been completed, and we have formed a committee that is working on job descriptions. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will then undertake the grading process to determine the appropriate pay scales for our staff,” Dr Okise explained.
He further reassured that the management is committed to maintaining open engagement with staff and the union, noting that a motivated and well-supported workforce is vital to delivering quality healthcare to the people of Kisumu and beyond.
Both parties concluded the meeting with a mutual commitment to continuous dialogue and collaboration, emphasizing that all emerging issues will be resolved through structured and transparent engagement.
