MTRH Reaches Multiple Care Milestones
AMPATH partners at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) have achieved a series of care milestones over the past few months in their quest to advance specialized care and surgical innovation in Kenya and beyond.
The new cardiac catheterization lab hosted the first-ever coronary angiograms performed in a public hospital in the North or Western regions of Kenya
The first pediatric laparoscopic surgery was performed at Shoe4Africa Children's Hospital
The cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team successfully conducted an emergency surgery of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Surgeons performed Kenya's first renal artery bypass surgery
Coronoray Angiogram Camp
MTRH conducted its first-ever Coronary Angiogram Camp on June 20-21. This landmark 2-day event marks the first time such procedures have been performed in the North and Western regions of Kenya—and within a public healthcare facility.
A coronary angiogram is a minimally invasive imaging procedure that uses contrast dye and X-ray technology to visualize coronary arteries. It's crucial for diagnosing blockages, narrowing, or abnormalities in heart blood flow—particularly in patients with chest pain, shortness of breath or abnormal stress test results. Six patients received diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures, made possible through a collaboration between MTRH and Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and support from AMPATH Consortium partners.
Dr. Ayub Barasa, head of cardiology at MTRH, emphasized that coronary angiograms not only confirm the presence of coronary artery disease but also allow for immediate treatment—such as stent placement—reducing repeat visits and overall costs. The CEO, Dr. Philip Kirwa thanked the Government of Kenya and Ministry of Health for enabling specialized care services under the Social Health Authority (SHA). He encouraged the public to continuously register into SHA, noting that clients would benefit immensely.
MTRH thanked the visiting team from Aga Khan University Hospital led by Dr. Jeilan Mohammed and Dr. Etienne Amendezo; MTRH team led by Dr. Ayub Barasa, Dr. Wilson Sugut, Dr. Joan Kiyeng and Dr. David Lagat, alongside nursing, radiology and biomedical staff. This initiative marks a huge step forward towards accessible and life-saving cardiac care for the region
“When a patient gets a heart attack, it takes a very short time to death, and intervention has to be done within two hours and having this service here is key to the people of this region," said Dr. Kirwa.
He said the machine and equipment used for the procedure were bought by the Ministry of Health and installed early this year.
“This is part of the intervention by the government to save patients from heart attacks. This is the first time in Western Kenya,” said Kirwa.
Dr. Kirwa said the procedure is fully covered by SHA and thanked the government and President William Ruto for ensuring SHA works effectively.
“That’s why we urge Kenyans to register with SHA, which covers most of the many complex procedures we undertake at MTRH,”, said Kirwa.
Read more about the procedures:
MTRH Makes History with First Public Stent Surgeries in Western Kenya
MTRH Makes History with First Coronary Angiogram Camp in Western Kenya
MTRH Conducts Its First-Ever Coronary Angiogram Camp
Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery
MTRH’s Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital successfully performed its first laparoscopic— a milestone in pediatric surgical care.
The procedure was completed on a young boy with undescended testis. Using minimally invasive techniques, the surgical team completed a first-stage laparoscopic orchidopexy. What would have required a large abdominal incision was instead completed through a single 5mm port and two 3mm instrument sites. The child was awake and ready for discharge shortly after the operation.
The procedure was made possible through the leadership and support of the CEO and Dr. Peter Saula, head of Pediatric Surgery Department, both of whom have been strong advocates for expanding access to laparoscopic care. MTRH thanked the anesthesia, nursing, biomedical, supply chain, and cleaning teams who all contributed to making this surgery successful.
The operating theatre team led by Herbert Oloo, nurse manager, ensured seamless planning and coordination during the surgery. "As we look ahead, we hope to build on this foundation to increase access to minimally invasive surgery for children in our region," Dr. Kirwa affirmed.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
MTRH’s cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team successfully conducted an emergency surgery of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The team, led by Dr. Stephen Takow, repaired the ruptured large aneurysm on a female patient who did well post-surgery after a 2-day stay in the intensive care unit.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a swelling in the aorta, the largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the abdomen and legs. It usually grows slowly without symptoms. In the absence of prompt surgical intervention, a ruptured AAA is highly fatal, with a mortality rate of between 80% to 90%. This is MTRH’s 7th abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery and the 2nd such emergency procedure successfully conducted on a ruptured AAA. The surgery is covered under Social Health Authority (SHA).
Renal Artery Bypass
The cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team led by Dr. Stephen Takow also successfully performed Kenya’s first-ever renal artery bypass surgery in June.
The complex procedure was completed on a young adult woman who was diagnosed with renovascular hypertension, caused by severe narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to her kidneys.
After determining that less invasive options like angioplasty and stenting were not suitable, the surgical team opted for the bypass procedure. The surgery involves grafting a blood vessel—either from the patient or a synthetic graft—to bypass the blocked renal artery, thereby restoring normal blood flow to the kidneys. The patient is recuperating well and was discharged to go home.
Read more:
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital performs Kenya’s first renal artery bypass surgery
Surgical breakthrough: Moi Referral Hospital performs first-ever Renal Artery Bypass Surgery
Congratulations to MTRH for all of these achievements and asante sana to all the partners whose work over the years has contributed to these milestones!