The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) doctors have successfully conducted the first ever laparoscopic kidney transplant at a public hospital in Kenya.
Previously, the procedure was done by visiting medics from abroad but kidney patients will now be able undergo the surgery locally.
“Many patients have gone abroad in the past to have this kind of surgery. For now we are offering this kind of surgery in Kenyatta National Hospital,” said Dr Charles Waihenya,
Dr Paul Njogu further explained that the procedure is now cheaper and requires less pain medication due to the advanced technology used conducting the surgery.
“We are able to use computer guided laparoscopic instruments which make the process far safer to the donor and the recipient. The open one leaves a scar, but with this method it is barely noticeable and therefore aesthetically appealing,” he stated.
According to Dr Patrick Mbugua, the Head of Renal Unit at KNH, the hospital conducts at least one transplant surgery every week but is aiming at performing the procedure on 2 patient every week.
“We have a very active transplant program here in the hospital, since 2010 we have transplanted at least 250 patients and at the moment we are able to do at least a transplant every week,” said Dr Mbugua.
“We have not reached where we have wanted to be. We would like to be transplanting at least 2 patients every week,” he added.
The patient Dickson Njoroge is recuperating well after the successful procedure.
