Historic Breakthrough: MTRH Performs Kenya’s First Life-Saving TIPS Procedure

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has recorded a historic milestone after successfully performing Kenya’s first Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure, ushering in a new era of advanced, minimally invasive treatment for patients with severe liver disease.

The groundbreaking procedure was conducted by MTRH’s team of Interventional Radiologists on a patient suffering from advanced liver disease complicated by portal hypertension — a dangerous condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. Portal hypertension can lead to life-threatening complications such as recurrent internal bleeding and fluid accumulation in the abdomen, commonly associated with liver cirrhosis.

A Life-Saving Innovation

TIPS is a highly specialized image-guided procedure that creates a new pathway for blood flow through the liver. By inserting a stent to connect the portal vein to a hepatic vein, doctors are able to reduce pressure in the portal system and prevent further complications.

Unlike traditional surgery, TIPS is minimally invasive and is performed through a small incision in the neck using advanced imaging technology. This approach significantly reduces recovery time, hospital stay, and surgical risk, while improving overall patient outcomes.

“This is a significant achievement not only for MTRH but for Kenya’s healthcare system,” said Dr. Cornelius Kipchirchir, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at MTRH. “Successfully performing Kenya’s first TIPS procedure demonstrates that highly specialized interventions can now be delivered safely and effectively within the country. It gives hope to patients who previously had very limited treatment options.”

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The milestone was made possible following the recent installation of an advanced angiographic suite at MTRH. The state-of-the-art facility enables specialists to conduct complex image-guided procedures with precision, marking a major leap in the hospital’s capacity to deliver specialized care.

The achievement also reflects years of structured specialist training, mentorship and collaboration under the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Radiology Partnership — a long-standing program that supports medical education and healthcare capacity building in Kenya.

Dr. Daniel Chepsiror, also a Consultant Interventional Radiologist at MTRH, described the procedure as a landmark moment for the specialty.

“The availability of our angiographic suite has opened new possibilities for advanced patient care,” he said. “Performing the TIPS procedure allowed us to apply specialized skills acquired over many years. This marks the beginning of a broader range of high-end interventional radiology procedures that will benefit patients across the region.”

Training Camp Strengthens Local Capacity

The procedure was performed during an intensive Interventional Radiology Training Camp that brought together MTRH-AMPATH faculty and visiting specialists from the United States. The camp focused on strengthening local capacity in advanced minimally invasive care.

Led by Dr. Matt Johnson, Associate Director of Global Health for Radiology and Professor of Radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine, the program provided hands-on mentorship and collaborative learning.

In addition to the TIPS procedure, the team successfully carried out several other complex interventions, including:

• Retrieval of a guidewire from the aorta

• Placement of internal biliary drains

• Angioplasty procedures to treat venous blockages

These interventions further demonstrated the hospital’s growing expertise in complex vascular and hepatobiliary care.

Positioning MTRH as a Regional Centre of Excellence

MTRH’s Chief Executive Officer lauded the achievement as evidence of the hospital’s commitment to innovation, strategic partnerships, and investment in cutting-edge medical technology.

“This milestone reflects the transformative impact of sustained capacity building and advanced medical investment,” the CEO said. “For the first time, patients requiring TIPS no longer need to travel abroad for this life-saving intervention. We are reducing medical tourism while improving access to high-quality healthcare within Kenya and the East and Central African region.”

The CEO added that strengthening interventional radiology services will position MTRH as a regional centre of excellence for minimally invasive procedures, offering better clinical outcomes, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and improved quality of life for patients.

A New Era in Specialized Healthcare

The successful performance of Kenya’s first TIPS procedure signals a turning point in specialized healthcare delivery. What was once considered an advanced intervention available only in highly developed health systems can now be accessed locally.

For patients battling advanced liver disease and its devastating complications, the breakthrough offers renewed hope — and marks a powerful testament to what strategic collaboration, technology, and local expertise can achieve.