Kisumu Governor, Anyang’ Nyong’o, has revealed undergoing a successful delicate spinal cord surgery at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu last week.
The County Boss has disclosed that he sought medical services at the Referral hospital to express confidence in local medical facilities after a recurring severe pain in his spine.
“Last week on Friday, I checked at this hospital after I was told a team of doctors from abroad plus our own doctors would be performing certain surgeries,” he said
Further, he noted that the Referral hospital annually hosts a team of international neurosurgeons who perform different surgeries.
Speaking to the media after five days of undergoing the procedure, Nyong’o says his family had preferred to have him operated on in hospitals in Nairobi, but he chose to have it carried out in Kisumu.
“I am so happy. I am feeling very okay. I can now walk and sit with ease. Many people could not imagine such a surgery can be done in a public hospital,” said Prof Nyong’o.
Nyong’o noted that the visiting neurosurgery team led by Dr Bethwel Raore from Atlanta and the JOOTRH team have proven that complex surgeries can be performed successfully in Kisumu with adequate skill development.
The Governor said the neurosurgery team has visited JOOTRH regularly, annually for the past eight years.
“The ICU nurses were very caring and professional, especially Nurse Vincent Odingo. The ICU doctor, Dr. Babu was on hand to receive me and advice on my care,” said Nyong’o.
The Governor was discharged the next day on Saturday, noting that the surgery had given him tremendous relief on his nerves, which were being compressed by tissue stenosis in a condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome.
He called on the Department of Health in the county to continue enhancing health services at all levels so that locals can get the best health care possible at affordable rates.
