Kenyatta National Hospital introduces Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy for prostate treatment in Kenya

KENYA—Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Kenya has achieved a historic first by successfully performing the country’s inaugural Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy procedure to treat prostate enlargement.

Surgeons at the facility carried out this minimally invasive treatment on a 55-year-old patient, positioning KNH as the nation’s pioneering public health institution to deliver this cutting-edge option.

This breakthrough brings advanced care closer to everyday Kenyans, bridging the gap between elite private services and public accessibility.

Rezūm targets benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common non-cancerous condition where the prostate gland enlarges and disrupts urinary function in many men.

During the procedure, doctors introduce sterile water vapor, or steam, through a small device. The steam gently shrinks excess prostate tissue in targeted bursts, each lasting just nine seconds.

Over time, the body naturally absorbs this tissue, easing blockages and restoring smoother urine flow.

Remarkably, the entire process took only about 20 minutes under light sedation, allowing the patient to head home the same day with minimal interruption to his routine.

This therapy shines for men facing moderate to severe BPH symptoms who want to sidestep lifelong pills or more drastic surgeries.

Unlike traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), Rezūm carries a very low risk of retrograde ejaculation and requires no permanent implants or general anesthesia.

Patients often notice relief within two to six weeks, with peak improvements by two to three months.

Clinical studies confirm these benefits endure for five years or longer in most cases, offering lasting quality-of-life gains.

A skilled multidisciplinary team drove this success under the leadership of Dr. D. K. Kimani, KNH’s Senior Urologist and Honorary Lecturer at the University of Nairobi.

The group included Dr. A. K. Gatheru, the anesthesiologist; Ramadhan Muyika, anesthetist; Senior Urology Registrars Dr. Oyugi Omondi, Dr. Eyole Njako, and Dr. Eric Mburu; Senior Nurses Mr. Samuel Mulati and Mr. Samuel Orina; and Theatre Support Assistant Wesley Lagat.

KNH expressed deep gratitude to every member for their precision and dedication.

While private clinics in Kenya already offer Rezūm—alongside its established use in Europe and the United States—KNH’s adoption marks a pivotal advance for public healthcare.

The hospital has pledged to broaden access to such innovations, empowering the urology team to adopt more technologies that transform patient care and well-being across Kenya.