Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o has undergone a successful spinal surgery at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
The surgery, conducted by a team of neurosurgeons based in the United States of America (USA), Germany and JOOTRH, becomes the first of its kind to be carried out at the referral facility, which is run by the County Government of Kisumu.
Nyong’o, who was admitted to the facility on Friday afternoon, underwent the specialised surgery courtesy of the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative, organised by Dr. Bethwel Raore from Atlanta, Georgia; Dr. Victor Awuor from Columbus, Ohio and Dr. Timothy Ogutu from Dusseldorf, Germany.
The neurosurgery team led by Dr. Bethwel Raore and Dr. Lee Ogutha teamed up with JOOTRH doctors, anesthesiologists and nurses under the coordination of the facility’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. George Rae, to make the operation a success.
Nyong’o, who had been complaining of back pain, was diagnosed with a condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome, where tissue stenosis compresses nerves.
He lauded the team for undertaking the operation professionally with limited resources.
“Everything has gone extremely well and I am grateful to the hospital CEO, Dr. George Rae and his team for taking very good care of me,” he said.
“I was discharged home the next day on Saturday and I am recovering well. This has given me tremendous relief on my nerves, which were compressed,” he added.
He appreciated the efforts of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctors, nurses and nutritionists for exemplary service.
The historic operation, he said, was proof that, with adequate skill development, complex surgeries can be performed in the country.
“It is now very clear to me that even with the existing resources, both human and technical, we have the capacity to treat conditions that we sometimes shy away from and end up sending huge personal resources elsewhere,” he said.
Nyong’o, who went back to the facility to thank the doctors, asked the County Department of Health to enhance the quality of services at all levels to enhance access to quality health care at affordable and accessible rates.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate JOOTRH and I am proud to give my stamp of approval to the health services you provide. I encourage you to always put the client first. Thank you for literally saving my back,” he said.
For the last eight years, the neurosurgery team has been visiting Kisumu to help build capacity for JOOTRH and give back to the community.
Head of the delegation, Dr. Bethwel Raore, said the goal of the initiative is to build capacity for neurosurgery at the facility to help the community and the country.
“We are sons of the soil, so we are here to give back to the community through building capacity for this hospital. We thank all the patients, including the governor, for trusting us,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
