KU hospital makes history with first CyberKnife treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has completed the first-ever CyberKnife radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Level Six facility announced the historic breakthrough in a statement issued on Wednesday saying it paves the way for expanding access to advanced Cancer care in Kenya.

The success of the first procedure through the CyberKnife system which was commissioned by President William Ruto in May now puts Kenya on the map as the first nation to offer fully robotic stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments in the region.

“Through KUTRRH, Kenya became the first country in sub-Sahara Africa to acquire the CyberKnife, making it possible for local patients to obtain access to the extremely precise stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments the system delivers,” read the statement.

The process, which is recommended for various conditions including cancerous and non-cancerous tumours, involves radiation therapy which offers precise and effective treatment while minimizing side effects and improving the overall patient experience.

KUTRRH Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda, speaking after witnessing the procedure, expressed confidence that the milestone would help to reduce outbound medical tourism for Kenyans seeking specialized treatment and increase inbound medical tourism for other nationals.

“The commissioning of the CyberKnife system today is a major milestone for oncology management in Kenya. As part of the strategic plan, for the last few years, we have harboured the need to move into high precision treatment, and thanks to the Government’s support, KUTRRH finally managed to acquire the CyberKnife machine, which is a bold but best decision for Kenya in the effort to decrease outbound medical tourism and increase inbound medical tourism,” Prof Mugenda said.

“The commencement of the treatment also marks a key milestone for Kenya, the region and Africa in general. The services are now available without travelling outside Kenya for Kenyans or outside Africa for the regional patients.”

The medical specialists who jointly undertook the tedious and delicate process included Abdil Jabbari (Application specialist and Medical physicist), Ruth Wambui (radiation Therapist), Peter Loreh (medical physicist), Dr. Tracy Irura and Dr. Shridhar (both Radiation Oncologists).