MTRH Conducts Its First Cardiac Interventional Camp in Western Kenya

By Wasike Elvis

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), in partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, has launched the first comprehensive interventional cardiology camp in Western Kenya, marking a major milestone in the decentralization of advanced cardiac care in the country.

Over the past few days, a dedicated team of cardiac intervention specialists and surgeons have performed several life-saving procedures on patients suffering from coronary artery disease. These interventions, known as Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI), are being carried out in the hospital’s newly operational catheterization lab, also known as the cath lab, which was commissioned earlier this year with support from the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Philip Kirwa, Chief Executive Officer of MTRH, praised the initiative as both a historic and transformative moment for the hospital and the region at large.

“For the first time, we are conducting these advanced procedures here at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and not just for Eldoret or Uasin Gishu County, but for the entire Western Kenya region,” said Dr. Kirwa. “Until now, patients requiring angiography and angioplasty had to travel to Nairobi. This meant many either got delayed or missed treatment entirely — with devastating outcomes.”

Dr. Kirwa explained that the camp is targeting patients at risk of or already experiencing myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks, caused by narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. “We’ve already performed six successful procedures, and we’re continuing throughout the week. These are patients who would otherwise be at very high risk of death or disability,” he said.

The procedure begins with coronary angiography, where a dye is injected through a catheter inserted via a blood vessel in the groin or wrist. The dye helps visualize the coronary arteries using imaging technology. If blockages are detected, angioplasty is performed — where a small balloon is inflated to open the artery, often followed by the placement of a stent to keep the vessel open.

“Heart attacks happen suddenly, and you often have only a few hours to act. The first two hours are crucial for survival. After that, the risk of death increases dramatically. With this facility now fully operational, we are able to intervene within that critical window,” Dr. Kirwa emphasized.

He further noted that the project is fully supported under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage. “These complex cardiac procedures are expensive, but thanks to SHA, patients are fully covered. We encourage all Kenyans to register with SHA. No one should be forced to go home or look for money when they’re suffering from a heart attack. Immediate care saves lives.”

Dr. Felix Barasa, Head of the Cardiology Department at MTRH, highlighted how the hospital’s new capacity is already transforming patient outcomes. “We’ve seen patients who’ve had multiple episodes of chest pain and possible heart attacks but were only managed with medication because we lacked the interventional tools. Now, we’re able to open up their blocked vessels, relieve their symptoms, and even prevent future heart damage,” he said.

He added that coronary artery disease is on the rise in Kenya and becoming a major public health concern. “The disease pattern is shifting. We’re now seeing younger patients — often those over the age of 30 — presenting with heart-related complications due to hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking,” Dr. Barasa warned.

“Most patients are unaware they are at risk until they get chest pain or, worse, collapse. Prevention is key, and we also need more awareness about screening and early detection,” he said.

The interventional procedures generally last about one hour, depending on the complexity. “The beauty of this minimally invasive approach is that patients don’t need open-heart surgery. They can go home within a few days and resume normal activities in as little as two weeks,” Dr. Barasa added.

Dr. Joan Kiyeng, one of the participating cardiologists from MTRH, expressed her appreciation for the technical mentorship provided by the visiting team from Aga Khan University Hospital. “It’s been an incredible learning experience. I’ve personally been involved in the procedures, and we’ve grown significantly in our ability to independently carry out these interventions,” she said.

Dr. Etienne Amendzo, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, emphasized the importance of building local capacity.

“What we’re doing here is not just treatment — it’s knowledge transfer. This technology has been available in developed countries for years, and it has saved millions of lives. It is now available here in Eldoret, and that’s a huge step forward,” said Dr. Amendzo.

He praised the collaboration between the two hospitals, calling it a “model of how specialized care can be expanded across Kenya.” He also noted that as the burden of cardiovascular diseases continues to grow, such investments in technology, training, and infrastructure are essential.

“We’re seeing more and more patients presenting with advanced coronary disease — partly due to changing lifestyles, poor diets, stress, and genetic predisposition. It’s important that our healthcare system is prepared not only to treat but to prevent these diseases.”

In addition to the procedures, the camp is also serving as a training ground for local medical professionals. Doctors, nurses, and support staff at MTRH are receiving hands-on experience in the operation of the cath lab and in performing diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures.

This initiative is part of the broader government push to strengthen tertiary healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. The Ministry of Health, through public-private partnerships and direct investment, is equipping regional referral hospitals with high-end medical technology to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare.

As the camp continues, the MTRH leadership has expressed hope that this is just the beginning of a new era in cardiac care in Western Kenya. Plans are already underway to make the cath lab operations a regular feature at the hospital, serving patients from across the region and offering hope to thousands living with heart disease.

“This is a game changer,” said Dr. Kirwa. “And most importantly, it is saving lives — right here at home.”

June 21, 2025