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The first ten years of heart surgery in Kenya--aspirations, dilemmas and possibilities
1Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
This paper details the early history of cardiac surgery in Kenya, highlighting the establishment of the Kenyatta National Hospital
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical History
- Public Health
Background:
- The establishment of formal cardiac surgery services in Kenya began at Kenyatta National Hospital.
- Early cardiovascular operations in Kenya preceded the formal establishment of specialized units.
- This paper focuses exclusively on activities at Kenyatta National Hospital, excluding other Kenyan facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the historical background of cardiac surgery in Kenya.
- To present clinical data from early cardiac surgical procedures.
- To identify challenges faced by the cardiac surgery unit and revisit its future aspirations.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of cardiac surgery in Kenya.
- Analysis of clinical data from cardiac operations performed at Kenyatta National Hospital.
- Identification and discussion of challenges encountered by the surgical unit.
Main Results:
- The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital was established in January 1973.
- By the end of 1983, 208 open-heart operations were performed.
- Cardiac surgical activities date back to 1950, with a focus on the period up to 1983.
Conclusions:
- The paper traces the foundational period of cardiac surgery in Kenya.
- It highlights the progress and challenges in developing specialized cardiovascular surgical care.
- The aspiration for the unit to become a Centre of Excellence is revisited.
Abstract:
This paper looks at the beginnings of cardiac surgery in Kenya with relevant clinical data as well as the overall historical background to various cardiovascular operations which preceded formal establishment of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgical Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Similar activities in other hospitals in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya have been excluded. The Unit separated from general surgical wards in January 1973. By the end of 1983, a total of 208 open heart operations had been done by various teams in the Unit. A number of other heart operations were also undertaken. Those done before that decade are also highlighted back to 1950. The many problems that the Unit faced and still faces are also identified in this paper and the dream of making it a Centre of Excellence revisited.