By Sandra Blessings
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) is breaking the barriers in the medical world by achieving a milestone in Africa.
The hospital became the first health institution in Africa to record a major milestone in neurosurgery after specialists implanted Vagus Nerve Stimulators (VNS) in patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy during the ongoing neurosurgical camp at the facility.
JOOTRH’s milestone, supported by LivaNova, marks the first time the VNS devices have been implanted in East, Central and Western Africa.
The achievement positions JOOTRH at the forefront of advanced epilepsy treatment in the region.
The devices were implanted by neurosurgeons Dr William Owiti and Dr Carrie Muh as part of the September neurosurgical camp, which is an initiative of the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative and JOOTRH, expanding the range of highly specialised neurological procedures available at the Level Six referral hospital.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation is an established treatment option for patients living with drug-resistant epilepsy, particularly those whose seizures are not adequately controlled by anti-seizure medicines.
The small device was implanted under the skin, usually in the chest, and connected to the vagus nerve in the neck.
It delivers regular electrical stimulation to the nerve, helping regulate abnormal electrical activity associated with seizures.
For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, the treatment can significantly improve seizure control. VNS has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, in some patients by up to half, offering renewed hope to individuals whose condition has remained difficult to manage despite medication.
The introduction of the technology at JOOTRH represents another step in the hospital’s drive to expand access to specialised and complex medical services within the region, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the country in search of advanced neurological care.
The achievement also highlights the growing capacity of JOOTRH to undertake highly specialised neurosurgical procedures through partnerships, specialist expertise and targeted medical camps.
The September neurosurgical camp has therefore not only provided treatment to patients with complex brain and spine conditions but also created an avenue for the introduction of advanced technologies and skills that could transform the management of neurological diseases in the region.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Joshua Okise, said with the successful implantation of the VNS devices, JOOTRH has opened a new chapter in the management of drug-resistant epilepsy and strengthened its position as a referral centre for specialised neurological care in East, Central and Western Africa.
He said the local anaesthesia and surgical teams established dedicated pre-operative screening clinics a week before the camp to ensure that patients are fully assessed and prepared for surgery. The approach is expected to reduce delays and allow eligible patients to transition more efficiently from assessment to treatment.
The camp brings together a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and other specialists from the United States and JOOTRH.
The neurosurgical team, led by Dr Bethwel Raore, was expected to operate on patients presenting with a range of neurological conditions, including brain tumours such as meningiomas, epilepsy, Chiari malformation, disc herniation, spondylosis, spinal stenosis, spinal fractures and syringomyelia, among other conditions affecting the brain and spine.
“For patients, the collaboration provides access to highly specialised care that may otherwise require them to travel outside the region. For local healthcare professionals, it provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and exposure to advanced neurosurgical techniques,” he said.
He said JOOTRH Neurosurgery Partnership has recorded 700 surgeries since the inception of the collaboration in 2017.
He said the partnership between Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative has reached a major milestone, with 700 brain and spine surgeries successfully performed.
“The partnership is now entering a new phase, with 41 patients lined up for specialised treatment during the ongoing neurosurgical camp, which runs until September 11, 2026,” he said.
He said the partnership was now focusing not only on providing patients with access to complex neurosurgical procedures but also seeking to establish a sustainable model for specialist training and capacity building in the region.
“The partnership has been strengthened by the involvement of the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS), which is working alongside JOOTRH and the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative to move the programme beyond periodic surgical camps towards long-term development of local neurosurgical expertise,” he said.
International specialists, including experts from New York, together with representatives of medical technology company Medtronic, are working alongside JOOTRH clinicians during the camp.
The collaboration will also facilitate the introduction of advanced neurosurgical technologies and structured training opportunities for local medical professionals.
A key component of the strengthened partnership is the establishment of residency and fellowship training programmes in neurosurgery, with the aim of developing home-grown specialists capable of providing highly specialised brain and spine care within the region.
The programme will also promote knowledge and skills exchange, including bilateral opportunities for local surgeons and registrars to train internationally on emerging technologies and techniques and bring the acquired expertise back to Kenya.
The partners further plan to support the adoption of advanced medical technology, including the modernisation of JOOTRH’s Health Management Information System (HMIS) with AI-assisted clinical decision-support capabilities. Longer-term ambitions include exploring robotic-assisted surgery.
The partnership will also seek to upgrade surgical infrastructure, including improvements to operating theatres, equipment and surgical beds to create a modern environment capable of supporting increasingly complex neurosurgical procedures.
The latest camp has also adopted a more proactive approach to patient management following challenges experienced during previous surgical camps.
