MTRH conducts Kenya’s first TIPS procedure for advanced liver disease

KENYA—Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has successfully performed Kenya’s first Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure, a major breakthrough that expands access to advanced minimally invasive treatments for patients with severe liver disease.

The landmark procedure was performed by the hospital’s Interventional Radiology team on a patient suffering from advanced liver disease and life-threatening complications caused by portal hypertension, a condition in which pressure builds up in the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

The achievement marks a significant step forward for specialized healthcare services in Kenya and the wider East and Central African region.

Advanced procedure offers new treatment option

TIPS is a highly specialized image-guided procedure that creates an alternative pathway for blood to flow through the liver.

By reducing pressure within the portal vein, the procedure helps prevent serious complications such as recurrent internal bleeding and the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, both common among patients with liver cirrhosis.

Unlike conventional surgery, the minimally invasive technique is performed through a small incision and is associated with shorter recovery times and improved patient outcomes.

The successful intervention was made possible by the recent installation of an advanced angiographic suite at MTRH.

The facility enables specialists to perform complex image-guided procedures with greater precision while reducing the need for open surgery.

Years of Training and Collaboration Behind the Milestone

According to Dr. Cornelius Kipchirchir, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at MTRH, the successful completion of Kenya’s first TIPS procedure demonstrates that highly specialized interventions can now be delivered safely and effectively within the country.

“This milestone offers hope to patients who previously had limited treatment options and highlights the potential to expand access to advanced interventional radiology services across the region,” he said.

Dr. Daniel Chepsiror, also a Consultant Interventional Radiologist at the hospital, described the procedure as a defining moment for the specialty in Kenya.

He noted that the availability of the angiographic suite has created new opportunities for advanced patient care.

He added that performing the TIPS procedure allowed the team to apply specialized expertise acquired over many years and paves the way for a broader range of high-end interventional radiology services.

The accomplishment follows years of specialist training, mentorship, and collaboration under the AMPATH Radiology Partnership, which has played a key role in strengthening local capacity in advanced medical imaging and minimally invasive procedures.

MTRH strengthens position as a regional referral center

MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa said the achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to innovation, specialist healthcare, and strategic partnerships.

He noted that investments in advanced medical technology, combined with sustained training and international collaboration, are enabling the hospital to provide life-saving procedures that previously required patients to seek treatment abroad.

“As we continue to strengthen interventional radiology services, we are positioning MTRH as a regional centre of excellence for minimally invasive procedures that offer better clinical outcomes, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and improved quality of life for patients,” he said.

The TIPS procedure was performed during an Interventional Radiology Training Camp that brought together MTRH-AMPATH faculty and specialists from the United States.

The initiative aimed to strengthen local expertise in advanced minimally invasive care.

During the training camp, the team also completed several other complex procedures, including retrieving a guidewire from the aorta, placing internal biliary drains, and performing angioplasty to treat venous blockages.

The programme was led by Dr. Matt Johnson, Associate Director of Global Health for Radiology and Professor of Radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Broader investments in specialized healthcare

The breakthrough comes as MTRH continues to expand its specialist services and infrastructure. In recent weeks, the hospital has advanced its bid for accreditation by the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG), a move aimed at strengthening specialist medical training.

 The hospital is also progressing plans for its new multi-specialty hospital project in Kiplombe, which is expected to significantly increase capacity for advanced care.

MTRH already serves as one of Kenya’s leading referral facilities, providing specialized services ranging from organ transplants and cardiac care to neurosurgery, oncology, and critical care medicine.

The addition of advanced interventional radiology procedures further expands the hospital’s ability to offer complex treatments locally while improving access to specialized healthcare for millions of patients across the region.