The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret has made history by successfully performing Kenya’s first-ever renal artery bypass surgery, marking a major breakthrough in the country’s healthcare system.
The complex procedure was carried out by MTRH’s cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team led by Dr. Stephen Takow, on a 20-year-old female patient suffering from renovascular hypertension, a condition caused by severe narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys.
After extensive evaluation, the medical team determined that less invasive options such as angioplasty and stenting were unsuitable for the patient. The team instead opted for the more intricate bypass surgery.
According to MTRH, the procedure involved grafting a blood vessel, either from the patient’s own body or using a synthetic graft, to bypass the blocked renal artery and restore normal blood flow to the kidneys.
Hospital management hailed the operation as a milestone not just for the facility but for Kenya’s broader surgical capabilities.
“This achievement demonstrates our growing capacity to manage complex vascular conditions locally,” said an official from MTRH.
Renal artery bypass surgery is considered a rare and technically demanding intervention, often only available in highly specialized centers abroad. Its successful execution in Eldoret signals a leap forward for specialist care in Kenya and could provide new hope for patients with similar life-threatening conditions.
The patient is reported to be recovering well, with doctors optimistic about her long-term prognosis.
Written By Rodney Mbua
