President William Ruto officially commissions CyberKnife at KUTRRH

KENYA – President William Ruto has officially commissioned CyberKnife, the latest equipment in the treatment of cancer, at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).

The machine, which arrived in the country in October last year, has been undergoing installation by a team of experts and is being housed at KUTRRH.

The machine, which was acquired at KSh675 million (US$5.3m), has the capacity to attend to 20 patients per day.

Speaking during the launch, Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to harness the post-pandemic recovery momentum to reverse the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, especially cancers, heart diseases and diabetes-related complications.

“Kenyans who are already covered under NHIF can receive radiation therapy without paying any top-ups,” he said.

“We are acutely aware of the drastic socioeconomic impact of these diseases.”

The President said many Kenyan households live under the threat of having all their savings wiped out by illness saying 36 per cent of Kenyans are at risk of falling into poverty on account of catastrophic financial expenditure.

KUTRRH purchased CyberKnife System for the applied use of treating tumors throughout the entire body.

The world’s only robotic radiosurgery system known as CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery System will be used by medical experts to offer personalized treatments of various types of cancers including brain tumors, head and neck cancer, lung, breast, spinal, liver, pancreas and prostate cancers.

According to KUTRRH, the new Cyberknife device is a key cancer treatment machine that offers a painless and non-invasive treatment for cancerous & non-cancerous tumors while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and critical structures.

Cyberknife, the latest technology that conducts non-invasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumours, uses advanced technology to track tumours anywhere in the body, with treatments conducted in one to five sessions.

It is globally acclaimed as the best treatment for brain tumours, lung tumours, prostate cancer tumours, meningiomas, and vascular malfunctions among others.

Data from the hospital showed that bookings for cyberknife services had started and 36 patients were on the waiting list by the time the machine arrived in the country.

“Cumulatively, these advantages lead to the shorter recovery period, minimal side effects and better overall outcomes,” Ruto said.

He said the government will continue to invest in highly advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment to actualise the highest standard of treatment and care in the country.

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