Women benefit as doctors perform 24 free cancer surgeries at Malindi medical camp

Doctors performing surgeries at Star Specialist Hospital in Malindi during the Gynaecology Mashinani programme where women underwent free gynaecological cancer surgeries as a way of giving back to the community.

The procedures were conducted at Star Specialist Hospital by a 14-member team of doctors under the Gynaecology Mashinani programme.

The team comprised consultant gynaecologists, obstetrician-gynaecologists and laparoscopic surgeons, among other specialists.

Most of the patients had suffered for years from cervical and vaginal cancers, with many unable to access treatment due to the high cost of surgery.

Dr Victor Otieno Tetty, an obstetrician, gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon who led the team, described Gynaecology Mashinani as a group of doctors, nurses, theatre technicians and healthcare workers who have come together to handle mainly cancer and other difficult surgical cases by taking services closer to the people.

“We are running three theatres concurrently in that at any given time there are three patients who are being operated,” he said.

He added that most of the cases handled during the camp were complex and costly, a fact that had made treatment inaccessible to many patients

All the cancer surgeries were conducted free of charge, with costs facilitated by the Social Health Authority.

He said cancer is real but is curable and urged all those who have cervical, uterus, ovary and vulva cancers to seek medical attention and take advantage of their medical camps to get help.

“We would like people to take cancer seriously the same way they look at diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell among others.

He thanked Star Specialist Hospital for hosting the camp and announced that the team will head to Lamu next month. He urging patients with cancer to turn up for screening and treatment.

Dr Nurein Mohidin, a surgeon and Director of Star Specialist Hospital, said the surgeries, which normally cost between Sh250,000 and Sh600,000, were offered free of charge, with most expenses covered by SHA

He said even the cost of medical tests had been subsidised.

The hospital has four operating theatres, three of which were running concurrently during the camp, while one was reserved for emergencies.

Mohidin said the team plans to organise similar camps every three months to reach more patients.

Dr Wafula Nyongesa, an Obstetrician Gynaecologist from Central Kenya, said besides gynaecological cancers, the team also handles other complex gynaecological conditions.

“It’s a good initiative we are doing it at no pay and at no costs to the patients its just giving back to the society,” he said.

Dr Bruce Semo, an obstetrician, gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, termed the Gynaecology Mashinani initiative noble. He said specialists have a responsibility to step away from their daily routines and give back to the community.

For beneficiaries, the camp brought renewed hope.

Swalha Abeid broke down in tears of joy after successfully undergoing surgery. She said she had been experiencing repeated miscarriages since 2017 and had almost given up hope.

She was the first patient to undergo surgery on the opening day and is now optimistic about starting a family.

“I thank Gynaecology Mashinani and Star Specialist Hospital for the treatment. I am now feeling better,” she said.

Naomi Mwangi, another beneficiary, said she was relieved after finally receiving help following years of complications.

She said her health challenges began during her teenage years and worsened after undergoing surgery two years ago following complications.

She had been in constant pain for the last 17 months as she could not afford another procedure due to the high costs involved.

She had earlier been referred to another hospital where she was told the surgery would cost Sh1.2 million. Another facility had asked for Sh800,000.

“I have been dressing my wound for the last seven months and when I went for the tests it emerged that I had sinus, fistula and fibroids which was a major complication,” she said.

She urged other patients facing similar conditions to seek medical help, saying treatment is possible.