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A team of specialised paediatric surgeons on Tuesday performed the first major surgeries at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH).
The surgeons successfully performed Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (PsARP) and open pyeloplasty procedures at the relatively new MeTRH KidsOR theatre.
The hospital, which is currently being upgraded from a Level 5 to a Level 6 facility serving Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Isiolo, Samburu, and Laikipia counties, hosted the surgeries as pediatric surgeon Dr Simon Munyoki worked with visiting specialist Dr Francisca Syovata Munyalo from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and was supported by a multidisciplinary team.
Dr Munyoki said they did a PsARP, to correct a birth defect for a child whose anus and rectum developed abnormally, and open pyeloplasty correction to correct an obstruction in the pelvis and ureter, "which if not corrected can result in kidney failure."
He said one of the babies was born without an anus.
"They cannot pass stool in the normal way," Munyoki said.
In an operation that was hailed as a milestone at the children's theatre, the surgeons were first able to fashion a stomach for the baby at birth, to be able to pass stool and breastfeed.
"We have come back to do the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, to do corrective surgery and construct an anus for them to be able to pass stool normally," he said.
He added: "We have successfully done the piece up. We will give them another six or so weeks for the site to heal and then come back to close the stomach, so now they can be able to pass stool like any other person."
Dr Munyalo said the success marked a major boost to the growing capacity in managing complex pediatric surgeries.
She said it demonstrated their commitment to devolving pediatric surgical services to ensure children with congenital anomalies received timely and quality treatment.
She said the number of paediatric surgeons had been increased and they were being redistributed away from Nairobi.
She said that they needed to diagnose cases early for treatment.She said without that, the cases end up being diagnosed late, even in their teenage.
"Which are cases (that) with the right support, they can be sorted and they can live a normal life," she said.
Dr Munyoki said they will work with the paediatric surgeons and those involved in treating children in identifying those with congenital conditions, "and refer them where our surgeons are so that we can sort them out."
The MeRTH, in collaboration with global health charities Smile Train and Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) opened the paediatric theatre in 2023 to provide specialized surgical care to children in the region.
With an estimated 1.2 million children in Kenya living with treatable disabilities, the facility will help address the shortage of paediatric surgical services in the region and improve access to care for children who need it.
At its launch, County Chief Health Officer Dr. Joseph Wahome said the partnership between the county government and the charities had resulted in a centre of excellence in provision of paediatric surgery.
“This project that entails the construction and equipping a paediatric theatre came after a fruitful discussion between our partners and the hospital. This was necessitated by the need to make the facility a centre of excellence in paediatric surgery and in rehabilitative surgery to treat cleft lip and palate," said Dr Wahome.
He said completion of the new service had enhanced the hospital’s status as a regional referral hospital, reducing the backlog of surgical conditions.
“As a teaching hospital, the new theatre has enhanced our capacity for the learning experience,” he said.
The paediatric theatre is equipped with approximately 3,000 pieces of state-of-the- art equipment.
The facility will provide a safe and child-friendly environment for children to receive surgical care, improving their chances of successful treatment and recovery.
