The survival chances of critically ill babies in Western Kenya are set for a dramatic boost. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has announced it will open a state-of-the-art Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) by October 2026.

The project, funded by the Safaricom M-Pesa Foundation, addresses a glaring gap in the region’s healthcare. Currently, Nyanza and Western regions rely heavily on the limited capacity at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for specialized infant care. "We have lost too many babies simply because we lacked the equipment to keep them breathing," admitted JOOTRH CEO Dr. George Rae.

Cutting-Edge Care

The new facility will feature 15 ICU beds equipped with advanced ventilators, incubators, and monitoring systems designed specifically for neonates. It will also house a high-dependency unit (HDU) for stabilizing recoveries. The construction is 60% complete, with equipment procurement already underway.

• Reducing Mortality: Neonatal mortality remains a stubborn statistic in the Lake Region. This unit aims to reduce deaths caused by preterm complications and birth asphyxia by 40% within its first year.
• Training Hub: Beyond patient care, the unit will serve as a training center for pediatric nurses and doctors from neighboring counties, building a regional army of specialists to fight infant mortality.