KENYA — Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has recently made headlines with the launch of several cutting-edge medical facilities aimed at revolutionizing the healthcare landscape in Kenya and the East African region at large.
One of the latest additions is the Blood Cell Separator (Apheresis) Machine, which was officially launched recently by KUTRRH CEO Ahmed Dagane.
The equipment is set to be used in the Hematology Unit to separate blood cells from plasma, which will help in the treatment of conditions such as anemia, leukemia, and sickle cell disease.
With this launch, KUTRRH continues to deepen its niche in comprehensive cancer being at the front of treatment for adults and children with blood disorders.
The Blood Cell Separator (Apheresis) Machine is a game-changer for patients suffering from these blood disorders not only for Kenya but for the wider Sub-Saharan African region as well.
Blood disorders are a significant health burden in Africa, and despite the strides made in medical research, access to effective treatment options remains limited.
For children aged 6-23 months, anemia is a major public health issue worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This condition has both short-term and long-term health consequences, making its effective treatment a critical priority.
The introduction of this machine at KUTRRH provides hope for patients suffering from these conditions and is a crucial step towards improving the quality of care for these patients.
According to 2019 statistics, an estimated 269 million children worldwide suffered from anemia, with nearly two-thirds of these cases occurring in Asia and Africa.
The sub-Saharan African region had the highest prevalence of anemia among children. This underscores the urgent need for effective treatment options to reduce the burden of this disease.
With access to the Blood Cell Separator (Apheresis) Machine, patients with blood disorders can receive timely and effective treatment.
The machine separates blood cells from plasma, making it possible to treat conditions such as anemia, leukemia, and sickle cell disease.
This technology provides a much-needed solution for a region where effective treatment options for these conditions are limited.
By reducing the number of deaths from these conditions, the Blood Cell Separator (Apheresis) Machine holds enormous potential to improve health outcomes in the sub-Saharan African region.
As more healthcare institutions acquire this technology, the hope is that patients suffering from these conditions will have access to the treatment they need to lead healthier lives.
This development comes after President William Ruto commissioned the CyberKnife Centre at KUTRRH in April 2023, which is the only facility of its kind in East Africa.
The CyberKnife is an advanced form of radiosurgery that delivers high doses of radiation to treat tumors or growths near important body parts like the brain or spine using a robotic arm. This method of treatment doesn’t hurt.
Apart from being painless, CyberKnife has other benefits for patients, such as quick pain relief and comfort during the procedure.
The Kenyan government purchased the device for US$4.98 million, and KUTRRH is now the second hospital in Africa, after Egypt, to use this technology for cancer treatment.
The CyberKnife treatment at KUTRRH costs around US$2,580 per session, which is cheaper than in India, where it costs US$14,743.
Patients typically require three to five sessions with minimal risks or damage to tissues. This new development provides a great opportunity for Kenyans who previously had to travel to India for treatment, which was expensive.
Further to that, the Comprehensive Breast Care Centre launched by KUTRRH in November 2022 also provides a one-stop-shop for screening, diagnostics, and treatment of breast care conditions, including breast cancer.
The Centre offers breast health education, clinical breast examination, mammograms, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, biopsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), staging CT scans/PET scans, and specialist consultations, among others.
The launch of these facilities is set to address some of the significant health challenges in the region, including cancer and blood conditions, and improve access to quality healthcare.
In a twist of events, the Kenyatta University Student Association (KUSA) recently issued a statement requesting that KUTRRH be placed under the institution’s management.
This follows a gazette notice separating the hospital from the University in 2019, placing it as a parastatal under the Ministry of Health.
The student leaders have given the government a two-week ultimatum to facilitate the surrender and return of KUTRRH to Kenyatta University unconditionally.
They argue that the university has over 70,000 students, who have parents and guardians backed by a proud and active alumni association.
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