Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital performs first lung removal surgery
In a statement on November 1, the Ministry of Health revealed that the operation was carried out on a mother of eight who had been suffering from a severe lung infection.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has once again demonstrated its growing capacity in specialised healthcare by successfully performing its first pneumonectomy, the surgical removal of an entire lung.
In a statement on November 1, the Ministry of Health revealed that the operation was carried out on a mother of eight who had been suffering from a severe lung infection.
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"The procedure was carried out on Pamela Achieng, a mother of eight suffering from a severe fungal infection known as aspergilloma," said MoH.
Led by Dr Juma Odoro and his team from JOOTRH’s newly established Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Unit, the operation was successful, and Achieng has since been discharged in stable condition.
"This achievement underscores JOOTRH’s growing capacity to offer complex, life-saving surgeries and supports Kenya’s efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare under Universal Health Coverage (UHC)," the Ministry stated.
This latest achievement comes just days after the hospital made history with its first cardiothoracic surgery.
The patient, Christine Awino Onyango, a 41-year-old mother of five and vegetable vendor from Kisumu, underwent an esophagectomy to remove part of her oesophagus following a Stage II oesophageal cancer diagnosis.
The procedure was performed by the newly reinstated cardiothoracic and vascular surgery team, 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.
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