The first bone marrow transplant surgery in Kenya was a success.
The procedure was performed on a 55-year-old Myeloma patient on October 10 at Nairobi West Hospital.
The process took two to three hours, according to Andrew Kanyi Gachii, Chief Medical Director at Nairobi West Hospital.
Blood cancers such as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia affect the bone marrow.
“Many Kenyans have been travelling to India for treatment but we have managed to conduct the first successful surgery here in Kenya. Also, those suffering from sickle cell can be able to get this treatment,” Gachii said.
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure that injects your body with healthy blood-forming stem cells to replace bone marrow that isn’t producing enough healthy blood cells.
“Being diagnosed with blood cancer can bring fear, frustration and uncertainty. When detected and treated early, however, blood cancer can be treated successfully” – Dr Kibet, Chief Consulting Pathologist said.
According to Gachii, the operation requires special units where patients can be kept.
According to him, Nairobi West currently has six BNT suits that can only accommodate six patients at a time.
The procedure at Nairobi West Hospital is expected to cost at least $25,000 (KES 3,028,750).
