Kisumu mother of five beats deadly oesophageal cancer in historic Jaramogi Hospital surgery
For the first time in western Kenya, life-saving cardiothoracic surgery gives hope to patients who once had to travel far for treatment.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has made history by performing its first cardiothoracic surgery, bringing advanced treatment previously unavailable locally.
The patient, Christine Awino Onyango, a 41-year-old mother of five and vegetable vendor from Kisumu, underwent an esophagectomy—a complex procedure to remove part of the oesophagus to treat Stage II oesophageal cancer.
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The surgery was performed by a newly reinstated team of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons led by Dr Robert Sadia and Dr Juma Odoro, both of whom recently returned to JOOTRH after completing five years of specialised training.
From her hospital bed, Awino expressed gratitude.
“God has brought me this far. I just want to thank Dr Sadia and his team for taking their time with me. I am now feeling much better,” she said.
“I was not afraid,” she added. “Once sickness sets in, one just needs to find a way of getting treatment.”
Her symptoms began with persistent pain while swallowing and frequent vomiting. After several unsuccessful treatments at Kisumu County Referral Hospital, further tests at JOOTRH confirmed she had oesophageal cancer.
Major milestone
Dr Sadia described the operation as a major milestone in expanding access to advanced healthcare locally.
“An esophagectomy offers the best chance of controlling oesophageal cancer and prolonging life. This success shows that patients in this region no longer have to travel to Nairobi or Eldoret for such advanced procedures,” he said.
The operation is a breakthrough for the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), which has long lacked facilities capable of performing such delicate procedures. It also paves the way for JOOTRH’s upcoming Heart Surgery Unit, which is expected to serve millions of patients across the region.
Oesophageal cancer remains one of Kenya’s deadliest diseases, with over 2,000 new cases reported each year, particularly in western and Rift Valley counties. Until now, patients requiring an esophagectomy had to travel to Nairobi, Eldoret, or even abroad—a financially and emotionally draining journey.
The introduction of cardiothoracic surgery at JOOTRH offers hope for thousands of patients who previously faced long waits and high costs. The hospital’s oncology department notes that oesophageal cancer is the second most common cancer treated at JOOTRH, after cervical cancer.
The availability of specialised surgical services in Kisumu is expected to reduce treatment expenses, minimise referrals, and improve survival rates through timely intervention.
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