Ten heart patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are set to undergo specialised open-heart surgery this week as international cardiac specialists join Kenyan doctors in a mission aimed at expanding access to advanced cardiac care and transferring skills to local health professionals. The week-long programme, dubbed “10 Hearts, One Mission,” has brought together cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anaesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses and other specialists from Japan, the United States, Sweden and Canada to work alongside KNH's multidisciplinary cardiac team.
Two of the 10 patients had undergone surgery by the start of the week, with eight others scheduled for procedures under the initiative. Each procedure takes about two and a half hours. The 10 patients were pre-screened and assessed through the KNH outpatient cardiology clinic before being selected for the mission. The KIBOS Mission team arrived in Kenya over the weekend and was received by KNH Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr Joel Lessan.
The visiting specialists reviewed the patients' medical files, studied their medical histories and met them ahead of the surgeries, which began on Monday. Dr Lessan said the mission was providing an opportunity to undertake some complex procedures that have previously been difficult to perform at the hospital. He said the collaboration between the KNH multidisciplinary team and the visiting specialists would provide specialised cardiac care while strengthening local capacity.
Dr Simon Nderitu, a KNH cardiothoracic surgeon, said the team was treating different conditions affecting the heart and its valves. Some of the patients have blocked valves because of rheumatic disease, while others have blocked blood vessels. Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart, and blockages can interfere with the organ's ability to function properly.
Preparations for the mission had involved extensive coordination between the hospital and the visiting team. KNH Principal Nursing Officer in the cardiology department Eric Otieno said preparations for the surgeries took about three months, involving checks on theatres, equipment, supplies and the multidisciplinary team. The team comprises cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, perfusionists, anaesthetists, nurses, nutritionists, physiologists and physiotherapists, among other specialists.
For KNH cardiology department head Dr Gladys Njihia, the mission gives patients access to specialised care without having to travel outside the country. The procedures are being conducted under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) covering the costs. This makes it affordable for patients, providing a huge advantage.
The mission is expected to strengthen the capacity of Kenyan specialists to manage complex cardiac cases after the visiting team leaves. Dr Bernard Muriuki Gitura, a cardiologist, said KNH had a significant number of patients waiting for cardiac surgery. The partnership will expose local specialists to additional techniques, particularly in cardiac bypass surgery, and ensure the skills gained continue to benefit patients after the mission.
Key points
- International cardiac specialists are working with Kenyan doctors at KNH to provide specialised cardiac care and transfer skills.
- The mission aims to expand access to advanced cardiac care and strengthen local capacity.
- The procedures are being conducted under the Social Health Authority, with the Social Health Insurance Fund covering the costs.
