By Sherine Atieno.

Siaya County resident Joseph Onyango Opondo, 50, has finally found relief after two decades of enduring excruciating pain. A former driver, Opondo’s life took a turn in 2001 when he began experiencing numbness and severe pain in his legs.

“It started with a tingling sensation that gradually worsened,” Opondo recalls. “The pain became so intense that I could barely walk or stand for long periods.”

For years, Opondo relied on painkillers and injections to manage the pain, but they offered little relief. In 2022, a visit to a local health facility led to an MRI scan at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), revealing a lumbar spine condition that had damaged his nerves.

Despite the diagnosis, the high cost of surgery and lack of insurance prevented Opondo from seeking immediate treatment. However, a stroke of luck came when he learned about the Neurosurgery and Urology Camp at JOOTRH through social media.

“I had missed the previous camp due to financial constraints, but I was determined not to miss this one,” he says.

The camp, organized by JOOTRH and the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative, provided a lifeline for patients like Opondo. After a thorough medical assessment, he was selected for surgery.

“The medical team was incredibly compassionate and reassuring,” Opondo shares. “The surgery was a success, and I’m already feeling much better.”

Prior to the surgery, Opondo had been forced to rely on physiotherapy to manage his pain, significantly impacting his ability to work. Now, with the surgery behind him, he is hopeful of returning to his driving career.

“I am incredibly grateful to JOOTRH and the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative for organizing this life-changing camp,” Opondo says. “It has given me a new lease on life.”