From October 27, the Ministry of Health will host a week-long ear and hearing surgical camp at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Running until October 31, the initiative, in partnership with Operation Ear Drops and Dutch specialists, seeks to restore hearing and transform lives across Western Kenya.
The partnership, announced on Thursday, aims to deliver advanced ear surgeries and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare for patients across Western Kenya.
According to Dr. George Akuno, Head of ENT Services at JOOTRH, demand for specialized ear care in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) continues to grow rapidly, with thousands of patients seeking medical attention every quarter.
“JOOTRH serves as the only public referral facility offering comprehensive ENT, Head and Neck surgeries in the region. The need for specialized interventions is immense, and this camp provides timely relief to many families who would otherwise be unable to afford such care,” Dr. Akuno said.
The hospital has already begun patient screening at its ENT Filter Clinic, which will continue until October 24, 2025.
Consultant clinics are available every Tuesday and Thursday, ensuring patients are thoroughly assessed before being scheduled for surgery.
In a move designed to ensure accessibility for all, all approved procedures will be fully covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), making the services free to eligible patients.
This financial protection aligns with the government’s broader commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Taifa Care model.
The week-long medical camp will focus on complex ear reconstructions, treatment of chronic ear infections, and hearing restoration surgeries, among other advanced interventions.
The collaboration with Operation Ear Drops, a long-standing partner in hearing health, reinforces the hospital’s mission to bridge gaps in specialized medical care and strengthen ENT services in the region.
Dr. Akuno highlighted that many patients in rural parts of the Lake Region often endure untreated ear conditions for years due to lack of access to qualified specialists or the high cost of surgical interventions.
This initiative envisions a lifeline for patients who have been suffering in silence. It is about restoring hearing, dignity, and the ability to fully participate in social and economic life.
The Ministry of Health lauded the collaboration as a major milestone in expanding access to specialized care and strengthening Kenya’s surgical capacity at county level.
