Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH ) has successfully performed a rare operation that repairs the main artery without open surgery.
The procedure known as Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) is the first non-invasive operation in a public hospital in Kenya. It treats the condition in the shortest time compared to heart surgery.
Briefing journalists after the inaugural operation of a female patient, KUTRRH Board Chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda said the treatment is safer and cheaper than open heart processes where the patient spends more time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the wards.
In comparison, she said the patient spent only two days as opposed to the conventional treatment for Sh 500,000 which is covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Chief Executive Ahmed Dagane said the hospital is positioning itself to offer specialized treatment that is not available in the East African region.
Dagane and Prof Mugenda emphasized the importance of Kenyans enrolling with NIHF to ease the burden of treatment of chronic ailments for families.
Dr Enock Makori, in charge of the hospital’s cardiovascular and thoracic unit, said in normal open heart surgery, a patient can take between two weeks and a month. Still, the TEVAR procedure takes a maximum of three days.