Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has achieved a historic medical milestone after successfully performing its first-ever cardiothoracic surgery. The groundbreaking procedure, an esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer, marks a significant advancement in specialized healthcare within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).
The operation was conducted on a 41-year-old mother of five, Christine Awino Onyango, who had been struggling with severe swallowing difficulties and vomiting. After initial treatment elsewhere failed to relieve her symptoms, she sought care at JOOTRH, where tests confirmed she had Stage II esophageal cancer. The medical team opted for an esophagectomy, a complex surgical procedure that involves removing part of the esophagus to treat the disease.
Awino has been under close postoperative care for nearly two weeks and is now recovering well. She spent five days in the Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to the general ward. Her scheduled discharge marks a moment of triumph for both the patient and the hospital team that made the surgery possible.
This milestone is particularly significant for the LREB, which has long relied on hospitals in Nairobi and Eldoret for advanced cardiothoracic and vascular procedures. The recent return of two specialized surgeons, Dr. Juma Odoro and Dr. Robert Sadia, has been pivotal in enabling JOOTRH to launch its cardiothoracic services. Their expertise, gained during five years of study leave, has expanded the hospital’s capacity to handle complex cases locally.
The successful esophagectomy also underscores JOOTRH’s growing role as a center of excellence in oncology and specialized surgery. Esophageal cancer ranks as the second most common cancer treated at the facility, and access to advanced surgical interventions now offers new hope to patients across western Kenya.
Dr. Sadia noted that esophagectomy offers the best chance of controlling the disease and improving survival rates. The success of this procedure, he said, is a strong signal that JOOTRH can now deliver world-class cardiothoracic and vascular care closer to home.
With this achievement, the hospital is setting the stage for the official launch of its new heart surgery unit. It represents a major leap in medical self-reliance for the region, reducing the need for costly referrals and saving countless lives through timely, specialized interventions.
