Doctors Successfully Transfuse Baby in Mother’s Womb
On July 31, 2023, Medics at Kenyatta National Hospital achieved yet another milestone in foetal medicine after they successfully transfused a baby while still in the mother’s uterus.
The highly delicate procedure, known as the Intrauterine Foetal Transfusion, was undertaken by a team of four doctors, including specialists Dr Rosa Chemwey, Dr Flavia Ogutu, and Dr. Ikol Adung’o, as well as Dr. Kunjira Murayi (Interventional Radiologist). They were assisted by Nurses Mr Benson Nyankuru and Ms Redempta Mumo and a reproductive Health Clinical Officer, Mr. Tony Wainaina.
Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri hailed the KNH team for their great achievement. “This is foetal medicine and an institutional landmark. We have attained yet another milestone in fulfilling our mandate as a top premier referral hospital.” “I’d like to thank the team of doctors and those assisting them for the splendid work done. This confirms that we have the very best medics here at KNH.”
Doctors successfully delivered the baby in October. After a month of observations, the baby christened Blessing, was allowed to go home.
First-ever laparascopic Kidney Resection at a Public Hospital Performed by Kenyan Doctors
Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital performed the first-ever laparoscopic kidney resection at a public hospital by Kenyans on February 8, 2024.
The three-hour highly delicate minimally invasive surgery was conducted by a team of medics led by Dr. Paul Njogu and Dr Charles Waihenya, both of whom are respected urologists in the country. The procedure was conducted on Mr Dickson Njorogeyson, with the donor being his cousin – Mr Dickson Ndekei Wanjiru.
The procedure, scientifically known as donor nephrectomy laparascopic surgeries, is possible with the availability of the hospital’s tissue typing laboratory, the only one in the region.
Traditionally, donor nephrectomy laparascopic surgeries required a healthy individual, the donor, to undergo a major operation where the kidney was removed through an incision in the side using a large incision. This so-called “open” procedure was associated with significant pain and a substantial recuperation period for the donor. In contrast, for a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, tiny incisions are used, and the kidney is removed using a scope or camera and special miniaturized surgical instruments. The advantage of this procedure is that it has a shorter recovery period, and the complication rate is very low. In addition, the quality and function of the transplanted kidneys are excellent.
Medics Salvage Limb of Patient with Bone Cancer
On September 21, 2023, Medics from Kenyatta National Hospital successfully carried out yet another highly delicate procedure by salvaging the limb of a 20-year-old patient with cancer of the bone.
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of highly trained specialists took 16 hours to expertly remove a tumour on the patient’s distal femur (Lower thigh bone), which had involved the blood vessels and successfully bridged the gap left in the blood vessels with a vascular graft thereby restoring blood flow to her limb.
That successful procedure was the first to be carried out in KNH. The team that conducted the procedure included lead Surgeon Dr Nicholas Okumu, Dr Gilbert Oburu (Cardiothoracic Surgeon), Dr Wilson Ngángá (Anaesthetist), Dr Maureen Wanjau, Dr Mandela Korsai, Dr Faith Naliaka, all Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Evanson Kamuri, while congratulating the Orthopedic team for the achievement, said: “Step by step we are achieving our super specialization dream at KNH by taking on challenging cases to realize our potential.
KNH Employee becomes First African to bag Prestigious International Medical Award
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) was in the global spotlight again after a medical laboratory technologist, scored a first by becoming the first African to bag an important, international medical award.
Alphonce Kioko, a technologist working in the Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Laboratory (HLA Lab) was bestowed with the 2023 J. Marilyn MacQueen Rising Star Award by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI).
The J Marilyn Macqueen Rising Star Award (formerly ASHI/SEOPF) is a medical award by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI). With the legacy of Marilyn MacQueen serving as an inspiration, this prestigious international award recognises outstanding HLA technologists, who have demonstrated exceptional promise and dedication to the field, driving progress and positively impacting patient care and medical science.
State Honours to KNH Staff
Kenyatta National Hospital Management celebrated yet another milestone after a number of its staff were conferred State Honours by President William Ruto for their contribution towards healthcare delivery in the country. Nurse Fauzia Lugogo was conferred the status of a National Hero, for her selfless act of helping a woman safely deliver her baby on board the Madaraka Express train on June 2023.
During the Jamhuri Day celebrations, six of KNH senior staff were conferred Presidential awards as follows:
First Class: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (C.B.S)
No. | Name | Designation |
1. | Dr. Evanson Njoroge Kamuri | Chief Executive Officer |
Order of the Grand Warrior (O.G.W) of Kenya
No. | Name | Designation |
1. | Dr. William Kiprono Sigilai | Director-Medical Services |
2. | Dr. Lydia Okutoyi | Director-Health Care Quality |
3. | Dr. Kennedy Mulehane Ondede | Director-Surgical Services |
4. | Dr. Joel Rotich Lessan | Paediatric Surgeon |
5. | Dr. John Ndung’u Ngigi | Senior Director-KPCC |
6. | Mrs. Winnie Wanjiru Mwangi | Director-Human Resource |
Medical Milestone in Diagnosis of Lung Ailments
It will now be much easier to diagnose lung diseases at Kenyatta National Hospital following the success of a ground-breaking procedure at the facility. A multidisciplinary team of medics at Kenya’s premier referral hospital employed the latest technology to obtain samples of tissue from the lungs of a 64-year-old patient, enabling them to make a swift and accurate diagnosis.
This marks the first time the process, widely known as Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy (TBLC), has been carried out in a public hospital in Kenya. A transbronchial cryobiopsy involves removing large pieces of tissue from the lung through bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia. Medics say this minimally invasive process is a safe and effective way of diagnosing potential problems within the organ.
Dr. Wanjiku Kagima, who heads the Medicine Department led the team of medics conducting the procedure, explained that the intervention was prompted by a CT scan revealing a significant mass noted in the patient`s airways. Other medics involved in the procedure included Dr Joseph Mutie, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr Peter Waweru, and Dr Naveed Merali, all guest Pulmonologists.
The dedicated team also included Nurses Joan Kagema, and John Ndung’u, as well as three anaesthetists Dr. Brenda Lasoi, Dr. Gathukia Kinyua and Dr. Hazo Oginga.
Pre- Transplant Laparoscopic Nephrectomy at KNH
On 25th May 2022, surgeons at KNH led by Dr. Njogu conducted a laparoscopic surgery to remove a large polycystic kidney in a patient who was being prepared for transplant. The polycystic kidneys would have made transplant surgery very challenging because of space restrictions during transplantation. The surgery was a first of its kind, acted as a stepping stone for future laparoscopic donor nephrectomy at Kenyatta National Hospital. The patient has subsequently had a successful transplant.
CARSON MICKY- A RAY OF HOPE AND RESILIENCE
Baby Carson is a ray of hope and resilience. He has been given a clean bill of health and is expected to live an active, healthy life as well as attend regular follow-up visits to monitor progress.