Nyamira Hospital performs first total hip replacement surgeries

KENYA— Nyamira County Referral Hospital (NCRH) has performed its first total hip replacement surgeries, marking a significant step in the county’s efforts to expand access to specialised orthopaedic care.

The hospital successfully conducted two total hip replacement procedures in a carefully planned three-hour operation led by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

The surgeries involved patients who had been living with debilitating hip conditions that affected their mobility and quality of life.

Following the procedures, the patients will undergo a structured rehabilitation programme aimed at helping them regain mobility, manage their recovery and return to their daily activities.

Expanding access to specialised care

Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo said the achievement demonstrates the growing capacity of the county’s health system to provide complex medical procedures locally.

He commended the team led by Dr Jared Oeba, an orthopaedic surgeon and County Director for Medical Services, as well as the surgical, anaesthesia, nursing and rehabilitation teams involved in the procedures.

The new service will reduce the need for patients requiring complex joint replacement procedures to travel to referral hospitals outside Nyamira County.

Previously, such patients often faced additional financial and emotional burdens associated with seeking specialised treatment far from home.

“With this milestone, Nyamira County Referral Hospital now has the capacity, expertise and infrastructure to routinely offer total hip replacement surgery,” Nyaribo said.

Total hip replacement involves removing damaged portions of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components to restore joint function.

The procedure can help patients with severely damaged or worn-out hip joints resulting from conditions such as trauma, arthritis and other degenerative diseases.

More procedures planned

The county has already scheduled several additional patients for total hip replacement procedures, indicating plans to expand the availability of advanced orthopaedic services at the facility.

According to the governor, the development forms part of his administration’s broader investment in strengthening healthcare infrastructure, equipping medical facilities and expanding access to specialised services within the county.

The county government said building local capacity for complex procedures will allow residents to receive specialised treatment closer to home while reducing the need for referrals to distant facilities.

Nyaribo also commended the Department of Health Services, led by County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Dr Donald Mogoi, and the entire Nyamira County Referral Hospital team for delivering the procedures.

The introduction of total hip replacement surgery adds to the range of specialised services available at the county referral facility and reflects continued efforts to strengthen its surgical and rehabilitation capabilities.