Story and Photos by Ondari Ogega
“A surgery is only as good as the care afterwards; we are not after volumes but ensuring the patients who trust us go home safely.”
That was the powerful reminder from Dr. Victor Awuor, head of delegation of a multidisciplinary team under the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative, as they arrived in Kisumu ahead of a week-long neurosurgical camp running from Monday, 16th to Friday, 20th February 2026.
The visiting team from the United States includes neurosurgeons, anesthetists, nurses and, for the first time, a dedicated pediatric neurosurgeon focusing exclusively on children’s cases.
Welcoming the team, JOOTRH Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Okise said the hospital is honored to host specialists who have traveled from the United States. He noted that beyond delivering critical surgical services, the initiative creates valuable learning opportunities for local teams.
“This program has transformed lives and given hope,” he said.
Dr. Okise highlighted the hospital’s progress in building neurosurgical capacity. When the program began, JOOTRH had only one neurosurgeon. The number has since grown to three, with two more expected to return from medical school, bringing the total to five.
Since its inception in 2017, the initiative has performed over 554 surgeries, conducted more than 1,500 clinic reviews.
“We really wanted to advance neurosurgical services and increase access to quality neurosurgery in Kisumu,” said Dr. Awuor, a co-founder of the program.
Dr. Robert Galler, a visiting specialist from New York, described the growth as remarkable, emphasizing that mentoring residents and young doctors remains central to the mission.
The camp expects to handle about 50 mixed cases, including adult and pediatric brain and spine tumors. Activities will culminate in the Kisumu Neurosurgery Symposium on Saturday, 21st February, focusing on academic exchange and regional collaboration.
