Kerugoya County Referral Hospital in Kirinyaga has etched a historic moment on its medical journey by successfully performing the inaugural spinal surgery at the facility, marking a monumental milestone in the county's healthcare landscape.

Conducted on a 30-year-old man who sustained a spinal injury with fractures in lumbar vertebrae 1&2 after a fall at work, the surgical operation was led by Robert Oluoch, an Orthopedic Surgeon.

The adept team of 10 specialists, including an Orthopedic and Spine Technician, general surgeons, medical officers, an anesthesiologist, and dedicated nurses, showcased their expertise during the intricate procedure.

Kirinyaga Governor and Chairperson Council of Governors (CoG) Anne Waiguru, a vocal advocate for accessible, high-quality, and affordable healthcare for county residents, lauded the surgical achievement as a significant step towards realizing her vision.

"This spinal surgery at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital is a great milestone and testament that the elevation of the facility from a Level Four to Level Five Hospital was a well-thought-out idea," emphasized Waiguru.

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"The facility is now capable of undertaking such delicate medical surgery."

Waiguru attributed the success to the unwavering dedication of the medical professionals and the acquisition of modern equipment at the new medical complex within Kerugoya County Referral Hospital.


She highlighted that this success aligns with the facility's purpose; to offer specialized medical services, reducing the necessity for residents to be referred elsewhere for such treatments.

Expressing gratitude to the surgical team, Waiguru stated that the success of the surgery gives hope to patients and fulfils their commitment to providing advanced medical care.

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Susan Nakumicha, extended congratulations, characterizing the achievement as a testament to the gains of devolution.

Nakumicha reiterated the national government's commitment to supporting counties in delivering healthcare services.

Alex Kariuki, one of the surgeons, provided insight into the complexity of the surgery, highlighting the five-hour duration and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach.

This approach involved instrumentation and stabilization of the spine through decompressive laminectomy of lumbar spine 1 and 2.

Kariuki underscored the critical role the vertebrae play in protecting the spinal cord, necessitating a comprehensive surgical strategy.

Confirming the patient's stable condition and ongoing recovery in the general ward, Kariuki emphasized the hospital's newfound capability to handle delicate surgical operations with its modern and well-equipped theatres, eliminating the need for external referrals.

Chief Officer for Health Stanley Muriithi highlighted the significant improvement in the county's capacity for complex procedures, attributing it to the employment of an experienced Orthopedic Surgeon, an enthusiastic surgical team led by Oluoch, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art medical complex by Governor Waiguru.

He further announced the operationalization of a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU), propelling the county to perform more intricate and delicate surgeries, showcasing the remarkable progress in Kerugoya's healthcare capabilities.