Story by Ian Obadha and Brand Omega

Photos by Ondari Ogega

At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), hope is being restored one patient at a time through the ongoing neurosurgical medical camp organized in collaboration with the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative.

“I feel relived, the pain is all gone,” says a 42-year-old Beatrice Ochieng from Uyoma. For months, Beatrice lived with unbearable back pain that radiated all the way down to her legs. Walking, working, and even resting became daily struggles. Every time the pain worsened, she found herself seeking treatment at JOOTRH, hoping for answers.

Her breakthrough came when she first heard about the planned neurosurgical camp on Radio Lake Victoria. At first, she thought it was just talk, but when she later confirmed it was true, her hope was renewed.

After screening, she was booked for surgery and underwent a successful spinal operation during the camp.

“The back pain that lasted six months is finally gone. What I feel now is just the normal post-operation pain, and the physiotherapists are helping me walk again,” Beatrice says with relief.

She expresses deep gratitude to JOOTRH and the visiting specialists for giving her a new lease of life. Her message to others is simple: “If you have similar problems, don’t shy away. Just keep your Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions up to date, and you can access these life-changing services too.”

“Recuperating in the male surgical ward, 45-year-old Patrick Ashoya from Kakamega shares his story with a smile of relief: ‘I can walk again.’”

For Mr. Ashoya, the journey to relief has been long and painful. In May last year, he began experiencing difficulties in walking. Both his right hand and leg grew weak and painful, making it hard to even lift simple items.

When he first sought care at a private facility, he was misdiagnosed with brucellosis. Despite treatment, his condition worsened. Determined to find real answers, Patrick attempted multiple screening sessions on different days.

It was during one of those visits at JOOTRH that he met Joan Ndibile, a nurse at consultant clinic, who became his turning point. She informed him about the upcoming neurosurgical camp and encouraged him to confirm whether his SHA contributions were up to date. Luckily, they were, and Patrick was booked for surgery.

He underwent a neck operation at JOOTRH during the camp, and today he is walking again, with his strength slowly returning.

“I had lost hope after so many wrong turns, but thanks to JOOTRH, the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative, and the specialists, I now have a second chance at life,” Patrick says.

The neurosurgical camp, which concludes tomorrow, September 18th, has brought life-changing brain and spine surgeries closer to patients who would otherwise find them unaffordable or inaccessible. Over the ten days, it has eased pain, restored mobility, and renewed hope and dignity for many families.