- The Ministry of Health on Saturday, November 1, announced the latest breakthrough in the country’s medical sector
- They stated that the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital performed its first successful lung removal surgery
- The ministry further highlighted the condition of the mother of eight who underwent the life-saving medical procedure
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has made a large milestone in the medical sector.
Source: Twitter
According to a statement shared by the Ministry of Health, the medical facility had performed its first pneumonectomy, the surgical removal of an entire lung.
The ministry stated the success of the surgery marked a major milestone for the institution’s new Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Unit.
“The procedure was carried out on Pamela Achieng, a mother of eight suffering from a severe fungal infection known as aspergilloma. The surgery, led by Dr Juma Odoro and his team, was successful, and the patient has since been discharged,” the ministry’s statement read in part.
“This achievement underscores JOOTRH’s growing capacity to offer complex, life-saving surgeries and supports Kenya’s efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare under Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” he added.
The ministry announced the major milestone on Saturday, November 1.
Pneumonectomy is the second major surgery that was completed in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Unit, which was established about a month ago.
Pamela Achieng’ reacts to JOOTRH surgery
Achieng, the patient, has been experiencing signs like chronic cough, intense chest pain, constant vomiting of blood and a foul-smelling pus.
She started experiencing the symptoms in 1999 when she was first diagnosed with Tuberculosis. She was put on treatment, but the symptoms persisted.
“I started getting sick in 1999. I went to the hospital and got diagnosed with TB. I undertook treatment twice, but there was no change,” Achieng said.
The patient, who was the breadwinner in her household, was left distressed for years.
“Now, she is symptom-free, discharged, and ready to return home. “I am now grateful that what caused me to constantly vomit blood and smelly pus is now behind me,” she said, expressing relief and hope for her future,” she added
The doctors at the JOOTRH were able to establish that Achieng suffered from Aspergilloma, a fungal infection that occurs in the lungs after Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
“It grows over time and damages the lungs. If not controlled early by surgery, it could lead to damage to the other lung, which can be catastrophic. Surgery is therefore the only effective treatment,” said Juma Odoro, one of the doctors who performed the surgery.
Odoro was assisted by a dedicated team of doctors, including Robert Sadia, Vincent Ooko, and Brian Sipul, among others.
JOOTRH has confirmed that its new cardiothoracic and vascular surgery clinic is now fully operational and ready to serve the region and beyond, offering treatment for similar complex cases.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
