Lorraine Anyango and Faith Lawino

Titus Shimoli, 28, is a happy man after a successful surgery under the Kisumu Neurosurgical free camp.

He also stands to be amongst the youngest patient among several others  who await to be operated on as well as those who had undergone surgery, the previous day.

He anticipates with bated breath for the day that he will be discharged from the hospital to resume his daily duties.

He misses the activities that he used to enjoy, more so, his favorite job. A supermarket attendant. Four years ago, Titus had woken up from a hospital bed after he had lost consciousness for two weeks.

This resulted from a skull injury (Depressed skull) which he got after an unfortunate fight with a colleague, who hit him on the head.

He says that it was by grace that he was saved and rushed to hospital for first aid and further treatment. The skull injury has rendered the young man several visits to the hospital as he tried to find help, for the infection that had eaten some parts of his skull threatened to reach the brain. This is now his third surgery and believes that it will be the last. “I know that I am going to be well forever and won’t need any surgeries no more.”

The neurosurgical camp at JOOTRH enters day three with a quick pace as more patients are expected to be operated on, with an expectation of fruitful surgeries as had been the first day.

The facility recorded a total number of 15 successful complete surgeries at the end of the three days, at the end of the second day, two females and three males underwent surgery. The patients are in their wards expecting a smooth recovery and discharge apart from one who currently is admitted in the ICU for keen observation, after the removal of a brain tumor. Two of these patients share their stories and expectations.

Among the clients is a tall, soft-spoken and self- proclaimed comedian, Mr. Obiero Dancun is 64 years old and a road accident survivor.

His profession as a driver for over 30 years had ended in a grisly road accident which he considers himself lucky to be alive. He says that it is because he is God’s favorite son.

Mr Obiero met his untimely accident back in 2006 where he was only treated for bruises and wounds with little knowledge that he had incurred a lower spinal injury.

Several scans and diagnosis over the years proved that he needed a quick surgery as soon as possible. The spinal problem was affecting his gait for he could not walk straight as he used to before. He also couldn’t engage in his usual activities due to the strain that he felt in his back.

Today, his smile his broader and his jokes award-winning. He had strong faith that he would survive the surgery and get back on his two feet. “I have been ready for this surgery, I did not fear anything at all, for I knew the doctors as there to make me better.” Mr Obiero now awaits his discharge from the hospital as soon as possible. He will be able to walk straight again.

Elizabeth Otieno Onyancha is clocking her 50’s soon. She is 48 years and a victim of misdiagnosis. Her journey begins from Homa Bay County where she had to leave behind her family as well as her tailoring job to seek medical help.

Two years have passed since she was misdiagnosed with arthritis. She cannot fathom the moments that she had to purchase drugs for arthritis yet she didn’t have the disease. Elizabeth seeing no changes forthcoming, she visited JOOTRH where after several tests and scans, she was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). DDD affects the discs that separate the spine bones. Kisumu has been her home for a while until her successful surgery. She cannot hide her evident joy as she already feels a difference after her surgery. She is feels lighter, rejuvenated and relieved. “I feel like my problem is over, I feel much better though a little pain from the operated area. I can sleep better since yesterday.”

Yesterday, today until the end of Kisumu Neurosurgical free camp happening at JOOTRH, expectations are held high to provide positive feedback. There are more patients to be operated on both in-patient and out-patient. The  camp only requires a patient to have an updated NHIF cover.

Doctors onboard the Free Neurosurgical camp include; Neurosurgeons-Dr. L Ogutha, Dr. J Jacob, Dr. Ogutu, Dr. A Schug, Dr. Walter Adero an Orthopedic Surgeon and Dr. Daniel Ogutu, a Physician and emergency doctor, founder of Dokis Advice.

The camp is led by the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative in collaboration with the County Government of Kisumu, JOOTRH and Medical industries in the diaspora. The camp continues up until 21^st of October 2022.