JOOTRH Makes Regional History With Six Vagus Nerve Stimulator Implants in Landmark Neurosurgery Camp

 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has made a major breakthrough in neurosurgical care after specialists successfully performed six Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) implantations during the September 2026 neurosurgery camp.

The milestone, described as the first of its kind in Kenya and the wider region, saw surgeons implant the advanced neuromodulation devices in six patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy, marking a significant step forward in the management of complex neurological conditions.

The September camp concluded with 27 neurosurgical cases performed, including the landmark VNS procedures as well as complex operations involving brain tumours and spinal conditions.

The VNS breakthrough was spearheaded by Dr Carrie Muh, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery, who explained that the procedure is primarily intended for patients who continue to experience seizures despite using several anti-seizure medications.

Dr Muh said the VNS device is surgically placed around a nerve in the neck and delivers regular electrical impulses that travel towards the brain, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

She explained that the treatment does not necessarily cure epilepsy completely but can significantly improve the quality of life of patients by reducing seizures over time.

According to Dr Muh, patients can experience an average reduction of about 50 per cent in seizures during the first year, with the effectiveness potentially increasing in subsequent years.

The device is initially programmed at a low setting to allow the nerve to gradually adjust to stimulation. Neurologists and neurosurgeons then progressively increase the stimulation levels over several months depending on the patient's response.

Dr Muh said that after several years, some patients can experience seizure reductions of 75 per cent or more, making VNS an important additional treatment option for people whose epilepsy remains difficult to control.

The six VNS implantations have placed JOOTRH at the centre of an important development in advanced neurological care, offering renewed hope to patients who have struggled with persistent seizures despite conventional treatment.

Beyond the VNS procedures, the visiting neurosurgical team worked alongside JOOTRH specialists to undertake complex surgeries involving brain tumours and spinal conditions.

The latest camp also highlighted the progress made by JOOTRH since the neurosurgery partnership was launched in 2017.

Team lead Dr Bethwel Raore said one of the most significant achievements of the partnership has been the development of permanent local neurosurgical expertise.

He recalled that when the camps began, visiting specialists would leave with the neurosurgical capacity after completing their missions because JOOTRH did not have resident neurosurgeons.

Today, the hospital has four full-time neurosurgeons, a development Dr Raore described as evidence that the partnership is achieving its long-term objective of building sustainable local capacity.

The camp brought together neurosurgeons from the United States and specialists at JOOTRH, combining surgical expertise with training and knowledge transfer to local medical teams.

Speaking during a press conference at JOOTRH, the hospital's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joshua Okise, said the successful completion of the camp represented another milestone in the institution's efforts to establish itself as a leading centre for specialised healthcare in the region.

Dr Okise said the partnership goes beyond conducting surgeries, noting that the transfer of skills and knowledge to Kenyan healthcare professionals was critical to ensuring that patients continue accessing specialised services even after visiting teams leave.

He said strengthening the capacity of local specialists would enable JOOTRH to manage increasingly complex neurological conditions while reducing the need for patients to seek advanced treatment outside the region.

The September camp therefore marked not only a breakthrough in epilepsy treatment but also a demonstration of how sustained partnerships can transform specialist healthcare by combining advanced technology, expertise and local capacity.

With four resident neurosurgeons now permanently serving at the hospital, JOOTRH is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for advanced neurosurgical services, with the latest VNS procedures providing a glimpse into the next phase of its development.