May 2022 marked another milestone at KUTRRH as the Hospital celebrated the first pediatric heart surgery technically known as patent ductus ateriosus. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. The opening (ductus arteriosus) is a normal part of a baby’s circulatory system in the womb that usually closes shortly after birth. If it remains open, it’s then called a patent ductus arteriosus.
The surgery was undertaken by Dr.Enoch Makori, as the lead surgeon, Dr.Wangui Manguyu, Dr.Isaac Adembesa as the chief anaesthologist and Nurse Samuel Karanu. There are many kinds of heart defects. Some are minor, and others are more serious. Defects can occur inside the heart or in the large blood vessels outside the heart. Some heart defects may need surgery right after the baby is born. For others, a child may be able to safely wait for weeks, months or
years to have surgery. Congenital heart disease is a serious probem in Kenya. The problem as observed in various studies and reports is severe in children who have access to minimal or no healthcare especially in rural areas. Besides limited access to quality healthcare, a shortage of medical specialists in lower level facilities leads to the problem being undiagnosed at the appropriate intervention period.
Paediatric heart surgery services at KUTRRH have not only brought about much needed high quality specialized care to patients seeking pediatric heart interventions but also provided cost relief to patients compared to other facilities providing similar services.
Why choose KUTRRH for the PET scan?
In Kenya, Cancer has been ranked 3rd among the killer diseases after malaria and Pneumonia. According to a recent report by International Agency for Research on Cancer, the number of new cases reported in 2020 in Kenya for both genders was approximately 42, 116; 15,566 male and 26,550 females with approximately 27,092 deaths same year. As evident in the statistics, the thousands of Cancer patients die prematurely because of lack of treatment locally.
Until recently when NHIF came on board to relieve the suffering of our people, most patients were being forced to pay out of pocket, selling all their assets, fundraising from friends and well-wishers, and still it was not enough to pay for treatment abroad. Seeking treatment abroad was the privilege of a few, while majority of our people had no choice but to forego treatment and wait to die. However, the narrative changed when Cancer was declared a national disaster and through government intervention, NHIF came onboard to relieve the financial burden on cancer patients. NHIF has been paying for treatment in India and South Africa, and locally in our private hospitals that have had the capacity to provide the needed care.
About PET Scan
PET scan services in Kenya became available in 2018 with installation of a first Cyclotron machine. This brought a breath of relief as most patients were accessing the PET scan services outside the Country. The services were also not available in any public hospital and hence was unaffordable for most Kenyans. Today, the NHIF has been supporting patients in accessing PET Scan services at KUTRRH. In a bid to have more resources available locally and ease the long queues at private facilities, KUTRRH in collaboration with the government of Kenya,embarked on construction of a state-of-the-art IMIC facility. The IMIC is home to 2-PET CT machines, SPECT CT, and a Cy-clotron machine. With our PET CT up and running, we are now scanning patients from Monday-Friday,running 2-shifts of scanning, hence attending to more patients and reducing the queues from our pri-vate partners.
With the PET Scan services available to our people in a government facility, early screening for early cancer cells detection hence increased survivorship rate.
Why Choose KUTRRH?
Cost Comparison
KUTRRH has entered an MOU with NHIF to fully cover the cost of treatment with patients not being
required to top-up even a single cent out of pocket. For NHIF, KUTRRH is a priority since it’s a national government initiative where they have their full focus. It is therefore very affordable for our patients to access treatment within familiar territories and without having to drain their pockets and bank accounts or call for fundraising. This is a true game changer for our people, and for our country.
Consequently, the aspect of cost of travel, accommodation and other miscellaneous costs when seeking treatment abroad is a thing of the past. Kenyans no longer have to worry about travels costs and the hassle of acquiring travel papers, or even accommodation abroad. Not to mention the aspect of time as a social cost. Previously, patients spent so much time to acquire approval from the Ministry seeking approval for travel purposes. Now with KUTRRH having entered an MOU with NHIF, KUTRRH is contacting patients directly and hence less hassle for patients in getting approval from NHIF. Which means once you book with us and given an appointment date, all you have to do is walk in for your scan, reducing the wait time. PET Scan services are just an appointment away, with no hassles and at no cost for those with NHIF cover. We are therefore
bringing hope to our people that indeed they can get timely treatment, and they no longer have to die prematurely.
Notably, the recent move by NHIF stopping payment for overseas treatment on conditions that
treatment is now available also a major boost for our local facilities. Cost comparison with other facilities Abroad. A comparison with facilities abroad in India and South Africa; –
The most popular hospitals in India charge approximately KEs. 36,000.00. This is excluding travel expenses, accommodation, and other miscellaneous costs.
In South Africa ordinarily the charges for a PET Scan are approximately KEs. 200,000.00.
Service Comparison
In terms of service, KUTRRH boasts of a highly qualified team trained both locally and abroad. We have a Cyclo-medical team handling the operations Their Cyclo-medical skills are the best globally,having accumulated their experience in operating Cyclotron facilities in the U.S since 2003. It is evident we are not taking chances with the health of our people.
The healing process all starts with emotional and psychological well-being before transitioning to physical wellness. At KUTRRH one gets quality medical care delivered by a highly competent team of professionals. There is a customer service team that welcome patients to the facility, handling patients with respect and courtesy. The customer care team not only creates a welcoming environment for patients but is able to connect with patients through follow-up calls.
The turnaround time for getting booked has been reduced. One simply needs a referral form from a
consultant. Our customer care representatives’ book the patient for the scan at the soonest. The
patient doesn’t need to worry about long wait times to be scanned and for the report since the report is released within 5 days of the scan.
Soon, bookings are enabled through the KUTRRH website where patients just upload their referral forms. This saves the patient the hassle of in-person booking.
Clinical Outcome
Patients receiving care locally have access to their social support in terms of family and friends. Unlike when they travel to foreign countries, being away from their loved ones and the culture shock in a foreign country. Notably, the well-being of a person starts with the psychological, emotional, mental and social well-being. KUTRRH is not only concerned with one’s physical health but also the emotional,psychological and mental wellness.