A team of neurosurgeons from the United States has commenced a week-long surgical camp at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), aiming to perform at least 50 intricate brain and spine procedures to enhance access to specialized care in western Kenya.
The camp, taking place from February 16 to 20 under the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative, combines neurosurgeons, anesthetists, nurses and, for the first time, a dedicated pediatric neurosurgeon to address children’s cases.
Dr. Victor Awuor, a Columbus, Ohio-based neurosurgeon and co-founder of the initiative, emphasized that the focus is on safe surgery and long-term patient outcomes rather than numbers.
“A surgery is only as good as the care afterwards. We are not after volumes but ensuring that the patients who trust us go home safely,” he stated.
Dr. Awuor mentioned that the team will manage a combination of adult and pediatric cases, including brain tumors and spinal conditions.
He noted that the program, initiated in 2017 by Kisumu-born neurosurgeons practicing in the US, was created to improve access to quality neurosurgical services in the region.
Since its beginning, the initiative has performed more than 554 surgeries and over 1,500 clinic reviews, while also providing structured training and mentorship to local medical staff.
Receiving the delegation, JOOTRH Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Joshua Okise stated that the program has substantially improved neurosurgical services at the referral facility, which serves patients from the Lake Region Economic Bloc counties and beyond.
“When this program started, we did not have a neurosurgeon here. Today, we have three neurosurgeons and expect two more by the end of the year,” said Dr. Okise.
He mentioned that the hospital has enhanced its capacity to ensure continuity of care after the visiting team leaves, with local neurosurgeons and specialized nurses managing postoperative treatment and follow-up.
Dr. Okise encouraged patients requiring neurosurgical services to attend ongoing screening clinics at the hospital, noting that those registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) could access the services.
JOOTRH neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Ogutha stated that the camp also prioritizes knowledge transfer to maintain sustainability of specialized services in the region.
“We are not only performing surgery but also training theatre teams, mentoring residents and building systems that will continue to support patients long after the camp concludes,” he said.
The camp will conclude with the sixth Kisumu Neurosurgery Symposium on February 21, gathering specialists from various countries to discuss progress in neurosurgical care and regional collaboration.