Hope restored as locals receive life-saving surgeries at Kilifi’s first neurosurgical camp
Many of the patients treated during the camp stated they had previously been placed on long waiting lists or had completely lost hope of ever receiving the operations they needed.
More than 12 patients, including seven children, have undergone brain and spinal surgeries during Kilifi County’s first-ever neurosurgical medical camp, held at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital.
The three-day camp, led by renowned neurosurgeon Nimrod Mwang’ombe and a team of ten specialists from the Brain Tumour Association of Kenya, marks a historic moment for the coastal county offering much-needed hope to residents who have long struggled to access specialised neurological care.
One of them, Ruth Bakari, of Ganze, whose seven-year-old son underwent surgery for paediatric hydrocephalus, said: “This is a miracle for my son. We have waited for two years, going from one hospital to another. We did not have the money to take him to Nairobi. Today, my child has a chance at life.”
Paediatric hydrocephalus is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles (fluid-filled spaces). This excess fluid causes the ventricles to enlarge, which can increase pressure inside the skull and lead to brain damage if left untreated.
Many of the patients treated during the camp stated they had previously been placed on long waiting lists or had completely lost hope of ever receiving the operations they needed.
The conditions addressed ranged from brain tumours and spinal disorders to severe head injuries, with many patients travelling from as far as Magarini and Kaloleni.
Patients who underwent various surgeries during Kilifi County’s first-ever neurosurgical medical camp, held at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital. They were on their recovery beds when Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro visited them. (Farhiya Hussein)
Salim Munga, a 44-year-old boda boda rider from Malindi, was among those who received surgery after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a road accident. “I thought I would never get proper treatment because I could not afford to go to a private hospital. The doctors here have saved my life,” he said from his recovery bed.
The camp was not only a lifeline for patients but also an eye-opener for local medical staff. For the first time, the county’s healthcare workers had the opportunity to collaborate with top neurosurgeons and gain hands-on experience in highly specialised procedures.
The initiative, made possible through a partnership between the Kilifi County Government and the Brain Tumour Association of Kenya, was part of a broader strategy to strengthen healthcare systems in underserved areas.
Prof Mwang’ombe, who spearheaded the team, said the decision to hold the camp in Kilifi was deliberate. “We wanted to bring these services to where they are needed most. People here should not have to travel hundreds of kilometres to get care. Our goal is to ensure such camps are not a one-off, but the beginning of sustained neurosurgical services,” he said.
Local leaders and community health volunteers hailed the effort, urging the county to continue investing in specialised services to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
For many of those who benefited, the surgeries meant more than just medical intervention, it was a second chance at life.
“Before the surgery, my daughter could not walk or speak properly,” said Aisha Mohammed, whose nine-year-old daughter was treated for a spinal condition.
“Today, she will get a chance to sit up and smile. I’m beyond grateful,” she added.
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