The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital has performed its first pneumonectomy, a delicate surgical procedure removing an entire lung.
The landmark JOOTRH operation, conducted last week was performed on Pamela Achieng, a mother of eight who had endured years of respiratory distress caused by aspergilloma, a severe fungal infection that had damaged her left lung.
The procedure was the second major operation carried out by the hospital’s cardiothoracic and vascular surgery unit, which opened a month ago. For Achieng, the surgery has been nothing short of life-changing.
After being misdiagnosed with tuberculosis in 1999 and undergoing two unsuccessful rounds of treatment, her condition worsened. Chronic coughing, chest pain and the constant vomiting of blood and pus left her weak and unable to work.
As her husband had been incapacitated by an accident and one children struggles with a disability, Achieng’s illness took a heavy financial and emotional toll on her family.
Today, Achieng feels reborn.
“I am thankful that the problem which made me vomit blood and smelly pus is finally gone. I can now breathe and eat without pain,” she said after being discharged from the hospital.
The intricate operation was led by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Juma Odoro, who called the case challenging and rewarding.
“Aspergilloma develops within damaged lung tissue, often after tuberculosis,” he said.
“Over time, it can destroy the lung and pose serious risks to the other lung. In such advanced cases, surgery is the only effective treatment.”
Dr Odoro was supported by a multidisciplinary surgical team that included Dr Robert Sadia, Dr Vincent Ooko, Dr Brian Sipul, Dr Nyamari and Dr Sipul.
The nursing and post-operative teams, led by nurse Joshua and ICU nurse Edith Okoth, were also commended for their critical roles in ensuring the patient’s recovery.
JOOTRH chief executive officer Joshua Okise praised the team, saying the success reflects the hospital’s growing capacity to offer specialised surgical care in Western Kenya.
JOOTRH cements its position as a leading referral and teaching hospital, extending quality healthcare to patients across Kenya and beyond.
The successful highly advanced surgery underscores growing regional medical capacity and the benefits of investing in skilled personnel and modern facilities.
It also signals confidence in a devolved health system, in which county referral hospitals are beginning to handle advanced procedures.
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