KENYA— Olympus Corporation has announced the launch of the “Kenya Endoscopy Human Resource Development Support Project for the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases,” training project at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
The training project is aimed to promote endoscopic care in Kenya, where there is a shortage of endoscopists.
The program is funded by “Projects for Global Growth of Medical Technologies, in 2023” conducted by the National Center for Global Health and Medicine under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan.
As a global medical technology company, Olympus has partnered with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis, and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states.
Olympus will conduct this project from July 2023 to January 2024 at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi in addition to other major medical institutions.
Additionally, educational activities on gastrointestinal endoscopy, which is indispensable for improving the level of medical care for gastrointestinal diseases in Kenya, will be conducted in cooperation with the International Medical Department of Japan’s Kyushu University Hospital.
Moreover, recently the healthcare institution and seven others in Kenya received the latest endoscopic equipment provided by the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2022.
Subsequently, Japanese physicians affiliated with the partner institutions will serve as lecturers and both train Kenyan doctors directly and instruct on how to train the next generation of endoscopists.
Dr. Elly O. Ogutu, M.D. from Nairobi Gastroenterology Training Centre, Kenyatta National Hospital at the kick-off ceremony, said, “It is my sincere hope that the project will be a great success and expand in the future to incorporate more areas in gastroenterology needing endoscopy services.”
Dr. Tomohiko Moriyama, Director of Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, International Medical Department, Kyushu University, commented that through the project, Japan and Kenya would share knowledge and experience in the field of digestive system diseases, and thereby improve the level of medical care in each other’s countries and further deepen the friendship between the two countries.
The scourge of cancer in Kenya
According to the National Cancer Control Programme at the Ministry of Health, Kenya, 42,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in the country annually with 27,000 deaths being reported.
Moreover, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya reports that cancer is the third leading cause of death in the country after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, oesophageal, colorectal, and gastric cancers are the leading causes of gastrointestinal-related morbidity and mortality cases.
In response to this social problem, the Kenyan Ministry of Health established a basic policy against cancer in 2019 and is currently strengthening its efforts by setting target screening figures for colorectal cancer for citizens aged 45 and older.
However, while the demand for endoscopic screenings, which are essential for the early detection and treatment of cancer, is expected to increase, there is a shortage of physicians with the advanced knowledge and skills required for these examinations.
Furthermore, there is a need to improve the standard of endoscopic care by enhancing the knowledge and skills of physicians.
Olympus applied to be part of the Japanese government’s “Projects for Global Growth of Medical Technologies, in 2023” to contribute to the early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.
This includes the international deployment of Japan’s latest medical technology through the training of Kenyan doctors, as well as helping to solve Kenya’s medical issues and assisting in the development of medical care.
The six-month training project comprehensive scope
Olympus notes that the educational activities on gastrointestinal endoscopy will be conducted in cooperation with the International Medical Department of Japan’s Kyushu University Hospital.
Moreover, the institution has extensive experience in on-site training, training in Japan, and online training for healthcare professionals in emerging countries.
The training will mainly be for medical personnel in Nairobi and surrounding counties where Japanese endoscopy equipment has been installed with the ODA.
It was vital for the program lead, the National Centre for Global Health and Medicine, that the training activities be conducted jointly by industry and academia.
Therefore, Olympia will provide the technical skills and equipment needed while Kyushu University will provide vital medical and diagnostic know-how to make the project a success.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
