Story by Lorraine Anyango and photos by Ondari Ogega

The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) prepares to launch its new heart surgery unit.

This significant development follows the return of two Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgeons who have been on study leave for the past five years. Dr.Juma Odoro and Dr. Robert Sadia officially met with Acting CEO Joshua Clinton Okise on September 23, 2025, and are scheduled to report for duty on October 1, 2025.

Their initial meeting was focused on the acquisition of an Essenz Perfusion System, a key piece of equipment for heart surgeries. The discussion even included the possibility of the hospital’s first-ever heart transplant.

The Essenz machine, manufactured by LivaNova, is a state-of-the-art perfusion system that elevates data-driven patient care.

The technology allows for a new era of personalized patient-tailored care, placing the spotlight on the impact and value that perfusion brings to clinical practice.

Also present at the meeting was Dr. Jayesh Rampadarady of LivaNova, the machine’s manufacturer, and he was accompanied by Dr. Komen and Mr. Timothy Nyaca from Antarc Health Care, the sole distributors of LivaNova medical equipment in East Africa.

Mr. Okise has appointed a team to work on the machine’s acquisition. This step will make JOOTRH the fourth hospital in Kenya to acquire the Essenz system, following facilities like Tenwek Hospital and Nairobi Hospital.

The new team also discussed training Perfusionists cardiac anaesthesiologists and biomedical engineers in cardiology to ensure the region has a sufficient number of specialists.

Currently, the Lake Region is primarily served by Tenwek Hospital, which performs approximately 150 cardiovascular procedures annually. With the addition of the Essenz machine, which has an expected lifespan of about 30 years, JOOTRH will be able to significantly increase the capacity for heart surgeries in the region.

The need for these services is critical, as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)—including conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, and rheumatic heart disease—have become the leading cause of death in Kenya. According to a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report, CVDs contribute to 14% of total deaths and 25% of hospital admissions. Worryingly, many deaths occur in people under 70, with heart attacks now affecting even young, seemingly healthy individuals. If current risk factors remain unaddressed, CVDs are projected to rise exponentially.