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Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital
Quarterly Newsletter, Volume 1, 2nd Edition, January 2021
COMPREHENSIVE
CANCER CARE
CS KAGWE INTERVIEW WITH
CITIZEN TV ON KUTRRH
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE
Page 7
Cyclotron Brachytherapy
Comprehensive Cancer The Green Transport Fueling Digital Transformation
INSIDE: Care Right here at home System with Service Quality
Leadership Digest
Message from the Chairperson, Board of Directors
I hereby thank our KUTRRH staff for its services in the Comprehensive Victor Njom, as well as the Directors
their continued efforts in ensuring Cancer Center and has embarked and Deputy Directors for their
efficient delivery of healthcare on different projects, notably the leadership and commitments in
services to all our clients. The Integrated Molecular and Imaging steering this Hospital to the level it
recognition KUTRRH has gained from Center (IMIC). This center will is now.
different quarters is a testament to be very key to our Hospital, the
our hard work and dedication to Country and the region as a whole As we keep up the good work, I
offering quality services. in managing and treatment of cancer affirm that the Board will continue
cases. The Center will have state-of- to support staff in the delivery of
Four months after the official launch the-art equipment and will house the ‘quality patient-centred care’.
of the Hospital by His Excellency first cyclotron machine in a public
Uhuru Kenyatta, the Hospital has hospital. This Center will ensure that
gained limelight and has continued Kenyans do not have to seek cancer
to offer health care services to treatment from other countries. The
different patients from across the IMIC also has a hospitality center to
country. Our continued engagement ensure we accommodate the patients
with the County Administrations and their loved ones whenever
has been very instrumental in they come to seek treatment in our
ensuring our services are known to facility. The project is on schedule
their constituents. In particular, our and is due to start operations in
collaboration with Gatundu Hospital April this year. We thank the project
has played a significant role in team for their dedication in ensuring
healthcare delivery. timely delivery of the project.
KUTRRH is dedicated to expanding I want to thank the Ag. CEO, Dr.
Prof. Olive Mugenda, Ph.D., EBS, CBS
Message from the continued to entrench and increase
the use of the HMIS in our service
partnering hospitals. The Centre is
about 47% complete and is expected
Chief Executive delivery.
We are privileged to have been
to be complete by 30th March 2021.
KUTRRH plans to firm up
Officer involved by the Ministry of Health commitments from these Counties
K
in sending out a team of healthcare and partner hospitals so that by
UTRRH continues to make
workers that played a great role in the time the IMIC is completed we
tremendous strides on health
offering health care to Seychelles. will have patients already enrolled
matters in line with our Vision
KUTRRH got positive feedback on for the services. Considering that
and Mission which include the
the IMIC, which will be part of the
establishment of facilities, additional the performance of the mission team
Comprehensive Cancer Centre, will
clinical services, a lot of capacity throughout their service period.
be the first publicly owned in the
building, embarking on medical When they were being sent out, many
Country and the region, its use is
education with collaborating of them had not had any international
expected to reduce travel abroad for
institutions, clinical research, and experience. Yet, when they were
Kenyans and make the management
medical innovations. We have also posted to their various stations they
of cancer cheaper.
performed exceptionally well.
The hospital is also improving by
Specialized Clinics have been
developing policies and pursuing
established at the Hospital to
ISO Certification. We are also on
ensure comprehensive health
course with the implementation of
care and the services offered
Performance Contracting.
includes ENT services, Obstetrics
& Gynecology, Pediatrics’ and child I would like to thank the Chairperson
Health, Cardiology, Dental Services and the Board, the management
and Ophthalmology. The hospital and staff for all the efforts in making
continues to upscale these services KUTRRH a world-class hospital.
due to the relative reduction of covid
numbers
God bless you!
Besides, as the construction
and equipping of the Integrated
Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC)
progresses, we have embarked on a
marketing campaign to Counties and
Dr. Victor Njom
Ag. Chief Executive Officer
Comprehensive Cancer
Care Right here at home
CS Mutahi Kagwe inspecting the newly installed
MRI machine, accompanied by Prof. Olive Mugenda
and HOD Imaging, Dr. Sarah Osiemo
O
ne of the Hospital’s Radiotherapy is key to cancer
key flagship projects is treatment, with over 60% of
Comprehensive Cancer the cancer patients requiring
Care aimed at filling the cancer
care gap in the country. The World
Health Organization (WHO) has With this, the Hospital
reported that the prevalence of
cancer is increasing worldwide. is poised to become
32.6 million people are living with
cancer and 8.2 million deaths are the only public
reported globally. In Kenya, we
have approximately 47,000 new
facility in the East
cases annually with huge amounts and Central African
of financial resources spent on Cyclotron
seeking treatment oversees. region to offer the
To fill this gap, KUTRRH has comprehensive commonly used as an effective
treatment for cervical, prostate
established a new comprehensive continuum of cancer and breast cancer.
cancer care centre that is fully
equipped with the latest state of care. The upcoming IMIC is part of
the art equipment and the soon to KUTRRH Comprehensive Cancer
be launched Integrated Molecular Centre and will be the first in
Imaging Cancer (IMIC) for cancer it. To cater for this need, the
department has a modern a public facility in the country
diagnosis and treatment. To and the region. The Integrated
improve survivorship, KUTRRH Linear Accelerator; an
advanced machine for precision Molecular Imaging Centre with
has heavily invested in screening, a Hospitality Centre is a unique
diagnosis and treatment. With radiotherapy which includes 3D
radiation. The LINAC machine facility for the early diagnosis and
this, the Hospital is poised to monitoring treatment of cancer
become the only public facility at KUTRRH (CLINAC iX) is one
of the latest Radiotherapy and will be critical in addressing
in the East and Central African the gap in screening and diagnosis
region to offer the comprehensive treatment equipment with a 3D
hence improving treatment and
continuum of cancer care. treatment and Intensity. ultimately survivorship. This
There are also plans to expand Another form of radiotherapy will reduce overseas travel for
the oncology centre from the is Brachytherapy otherwise also treatment.
current 40 beds to 150 beds known as internal radiotherapy
with the planned construction of whereby a radiation source is By George Owana - Marketing
the Chandaria Comprehensive placed inside or next to the
Cancer Care Centre (5’Cs). area requiring treatment. This is
2
Early Cancer Diagnosis Will Soon Be A
reality in Kenya
WHO in 2018 did a study that
noted Kenya has about 47,000
new cancer cases each year.
Further, about 10 billion Kenya
Shillings is spent annually on
seeking cancer treatment in
South Africa, India, and other
foreign countries.
The diagnosis of cancer is a family
experience that negatively affects
the lives of all members, causing
stress to the family due to loss
of income, treatment costs and
travel costs. These effects are
not only felt by the patient but
also the caregivers. According to
NHIF, 68% of families with cancer
patients experience financial
hardships with 53% of patients’
recovery affected by lack of funds The Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC)
and 6% of families selling assets
to finance cancer care. first in a public facility in the
country and the region. WHO IMIC is part of KUTRRH’s
Recognising this need, H.E. Hon definition of Comprehensive
Uhuru Kenyatta, The President Cancer Care includes Prevention, Comprehensive Cancer
of the Republic of Kenya and Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment,
Kenyatta University Teaching, Survivorship, and Palliative/ Centre and it will be the
Research and Referral Hospital Supportive. first in a public facility
(KUTRRH) embarked on a new
project to build an Integrated Molecular Imaging are non- in the country and the
Molecular Imaging Centre in invasive, safe and painless
tandem with a Hospitality Centre procedures used to manage region
with the foundation stones being the treatment of cancer. These
laid on 10th September 2020. The procedures in the IMIC will include
IMIC and the Hospitality Centre the use of ground-breaking the patient and act as tracers
at KUTRRH have the potential to equipments, such as Cyclotron, for cancer in patients as well as
make Kenya a medical tourism PET/CT’s, SPECT/CT’s and more. monitor remission or progression
hub within East Africa. of cancer in the body. Once the
The Cyclotron will produce isotopes are injected into the
An Integrated Molecular Imaging isotopes, otherwise known body, the presence of cancer in
Centre is a unique facility for the as Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F) patients will be detected through
early diagnosis and monitoring FDG, which are injected into a PET/CT scanner or SPECT/CT
treatment of cancer. IMIC is part scanner that will produce images
of KUTRRH’s Comprehensive for the precise location of the
Cancer Centre and it will be the cancer cells in the body.
Derek Mwathi - Marketing
3
PATIENT
CARE
More Than Just Physiotherapy
Quality patient care is paramount, and told her to be calm. She the patient and continuing
whether you are a few hours, days nodded and stayed put for some counting your 20seconds hold. I
or 50 years old. It doesn’t matter time, though after some minutes had to encourage this patient. I
the length of time you have she was restless and wanted to resulted to being a preacher for
served. It all boils down to how change the position. I told myself some few minutes. “ You can talk
best you handle the patients that that I had made a change to her to God, even in this state, He will
pass through your hands. Being a for the few minutes and that hear you. He will answer you.
few days old at the hospital and really counts for me. Appreciating Just talk to Him and know that
being able to bring a smile and every small thing. Small as it may He loves you very much.”
instill hope to my patients is a appear to you, it might be big to
great motivation for me. someone. “God, I want to say......” “I’m I
really talking to God right now?”
As a physiotherapist, I have
to create a “non-typical” “No ma’am, you are talking to
physiotherapy profession of the As a healthcare me but go ahead and talk to
notion that one must experience provider, I implore God, He will hear you.”
severe pain or must be overly
exhausted or there cannot be you and I to have our I left my patient talking to God.
fun or laughter at a treatment I believe I made a difference to
session. patients at heart. her even for that time.
Being in the critical care unit
Let us go beyond the As a healthcare provider, I
makes one appreciate the very treatment and get to implore you and I to have our
small things in life. Being able patients at heart. Let us go
to breath by yourself, feed empathize with the beyond the treatment and get
and turn yourself in bed. How
do I extend the “more than
patients to empathize with the patients.
Not many want to go the extra
just physiotherapy” approach mile. Not many of us would want
to my patients? I pray for my to care but you can be amongst
patients. Even in my procedures. It is for the benefit of the patient them who care. I will leave you
I remember telling God as I was that we ought to go that “extra with this: “There is no traffic
suctioning a patient; “Lord, I mile”. For me, the more than beyond the extra mile”
am physically removing these just doing my physiotherapy
secretions but you can direct me treatment comes from the fact
as I perform this procedure, You that the patient is God’s creation.
can bring healing to this patient.” God’s child. How I’m I handling Jescar Karimi - Physiotherapy
what belongs to God? If I can
More than just physiotherapy. help, then I will go ahead and take
When my patient is restless and that bedpan to the patient, I will
anxious, I have developed what not say that it is a nurse’s work.
I call a “touch of reassurance”. I will let you send me syringes
Just to let them feel that it is and cannulas and everything you
well. I care. I am not just there to want, as long as I am in a position
tell them to do one, two, three to help you.
then leave them. A certain lady
was crying because of being in What do you do if you have
a position she had to be in, yet a patient that has unresolved
she was uncomfortable in it. She psychological issues that
was becoming restless and was glaringly crop up during a
crying. I just gave her a touch treatment session? Do you hush
4
THE GREEN
TRANSPORT
SYSTEM
K
enyatta University Teaching,
Referral & Research Hospital
(KUTRRH) in line with the
Global trend in sustaining the
human civilization through
quality health care provision
has introduced green transport
mode for its patients. This unique
transport service has been is not only good for intensive use vehicles.
introduced to facilitate quick and of road resources, the ease of
traffic congestion, the decrease The Transport Department in
safe transfers of patients especially the hospital also embarked
the aged and children within the of energy consumption and the
improvement of air quality but on a structured framework of
hospital. continuously going green by
also, as a return to healthy and
The KUTRRH golf cart transport leisure lifestyles, good for the embracing the use of high fuel-
system for patients has embodied improvement of citizen health. efficient vehicles and programmed
its corporate image as the only maintenance to sustain low-
service offered in all Kenyan Green vehicles, with new level carbon emission to the
National Hospitals. The public alternative energy as their key environment. As a department,
response towards the service feature, are intended to be more our mission is not only to actualize
is equally marveling as it has environmental friendly than the KUTRRH VISION of enhancing
surpassed the expectations of conventional internal combustion the quality of lives for Kenyans
ferrying over 500 elderly patients engine vehicles running on and the regional citizens but also
monthly. gasoline or diesel. Electrical cars, to raise the Institution status to
hybrid vehicles, compressed air/ global recognition by being ISO
Green transportation is a low- natural gas transport cables, compliant.
carbon and environmental biofuel, solar power cars have
travelling mode. The active been used as the embodied Edward Buya - Transport
promotion of green transportation energy for different types of green
SPECIALISED NURSES
TRAINING
Working at Kenyatta University among others. Going forward, the encouraged caregivers when
Teaching Research and Referral Hospital will be training nurses in patients get well.
Hospital is an exciting opportunity these specialities in the hospital
and experience of its kind as a Specialized nurses training is the
nurse. way to go in the future of medicine.
The vision being Patients come to hospitals with
The vision being rolled out different health conditions and
gradually is a medical solution to rolled out gradually this calls for special care. Quality
the region and the international
community. The facility had
is a medical solution care at that point can only be
offered by health care workers
employed a high gear towards to the region and training further.
the realization of a quality patient-
centred health care. the international KUTRRH has enlisted in its
objectives the need to train nurses
The major investment in this care community. in specialized courses. This places
is the specialized nurses training the institution in the best level of
which forms a great foundation in its own as the best hospital in the
nursing care. training college (TRI complex). region.
The facility has been engaging Specialized nurses have boosted Morris Mutua - Nursing
specialized nurses like in Critical the facility’s capacity and ability
Care, Nephrology, Perioperative in offering individualized services
nursing, Oncology, Accident and to different patients and families.
Emergency, Comprehensive care Such type of care has improved
lives and given hope to families;
5
Abnormal Blood Clots
According to Dr. Kerama, this sped up
the recovery process as the clots were
identified early and treatment initiated.
and Covid 19: A Patient Kerama was quick to note that not all
health facilities have the equipment in
Perspective place, therefore, lengthening the time
the patient would take to recover.
W
hen he learnt about contracting Blood Clots and Covid 19 Evident Risk Factors for Abnormal
Covid 19, Paul thought that Blood Clotting
it was only a matter of self- Continued research indicates that
quarantine and all will be well. However, abnormal blood clots arising from COVID The risk factors are the same as those
his scenario played out differently. 19 infections are the cause of the death that have already been noted for severe
of some patients. While scientists link the COVID-19. Those factors include being
“I started developing some pains around main cause of the clots to a high protein older, being male, having obesity or
my lungs. I tried to go to the hospital spike in individuals with moderate having diabetes. Studies have
and then the doctor said it might be an to severe covid 19, young people found that being female reduces
inflammation,” said Paul. are also exhibiting the symptoms the risk by about 20 percent.
against the opinion that this
The condition worsened the following Dr. Laurence further argues
affects older people exclusively.
day. After examination, it was noted that that there is an 8- to 9-day
he could have been having a clot in the According to Dr. Jeffrey Laurence, a interval between the appearance
lungs, also known as pulmonary emboli. professor of medicine, many COVID-19 of the first symptoms consistent with
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one patients in the ICU are developing blood mild or moderate COVID-19 and then a
of the pulmonary arteries in the clots, including clots in small vessels sudden worsening that brings the patient
lungs commonly caused by blood and deep vein thromboses. This to the emergency room. In such cases,
clots travelling to the lungs from clotting often does not respond the patient’s natural immune defenses
deep veins in the legs or, rarely. well to standard prevention and control mechanisms that regulate the
methods such as being put on complement and coagulation responses
According to Dr. Onyimbo
blood thinners. may be working effectively during those
Kerama, from Kenyatta University
Teaching, Referral & Research hospital In the case of Paul, a 8 to 9 days, then are overwhelmed so
(KUTRRH), the movement of the clot can Computerized Tomography that the patient requires hospital care.
be from veins in other parts of the body (CT) scan revealed that he
to the lungs. This is what is known as deep had a pulmonary embolism. Another test
vein thrombosis (DVT). Some symptoms revealed that he was infected with COVID By Francis Wachira - Corporate
may include shortness of breath, cough 19. He was lucky to be in a hospital that Communications
and chest pain. had a CT scan and radiology present.
MEDICAL OXYGEN
PRODUCTION
Studies show that most developing
countries do not have access to
adequate supplies of medical oxygen.
The surge in demand for medical
oxygen to treat COVID-19 aggravates Four (4) Medical Oxygen Plants
preexisting gaps in medical oxygen
supply, leading to substantial supply
shortages among many hospitals and
home-based care. KUTRRH recognize
that oxygen therapy plays an integral
role in healthcare and homecare.
KUTRRH has responded to the challenge
by installing four (4) sophisticated
oxygen plants that produce medical
oxygen for clinical use. Each plant has Oxygen Cylinders Manifold
a capability of producing 613Litres per
hour (L/H) of pure oxygen totalling to Vacuum, Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous
2,452Litres in one hour. in 24hours, the Three (3) Medical Air Plants Oxide.
plants produces 58,000Litres, which
can sustain KUTRRH 650bed capacity, KUTRRH and also supply to Gatundu KUTRRH has a mission to advance
all neighboring hospitals and across Hospital. The cylinders are fixed on the health of all people through
the neighboring counties. a manifold system for an automatic exceptional clinical services which
changeover in the event production supports the training, research and
The produced oxygen is piped and innovation programs of the hospital.
Plants breakdown.
distributed to the entire hospital
clinical areas. By use of a refiling pump, Besides, KUTRRH has installed other
the oxygen is also stored in close to plants and systems for more medical Ann Gathaiya - Biomedical Engineering
a hundred cylinders for backup to gases that are; Medical Air, Medical
6
CS Kagwe Interview
with Citizen
TV on KUTRRH
Comprehensive
Cancer Care
Victoria Rubadiri from Citizen TV CT 256 slice unit, 2 LINAC machines, a government will take healthcare to homes.
interviewed CS Health Hon Mutahi Kagwe cyclotron, radio-pharmacy, brachytherapy What we have learned from the COVID-19
on comprehensive cancer care at Kenyatta equipment and a CyberKnife. pandemic is that family healthcare or
University Teaching, Referral and Research rather home-based care is possible. For
The KUTRRH IMIC will support other cancer
Hospital on Friday 11th December 2020. instance, COVID-19 hygiene preventative
centres that invest in PET/CTs through the
The CS also toured the Hospital, the ongoing measures have brought about a significant
provision of consumables (FDGs), general
IMIC and hospitality construction projects. decrease in hospital visits related to both
support, and personnel training.
communicable and non-communicable
The government is also working backwards diseases. Early screening, hygiene and
Rubadiri: Regarding the cancer to know the kinds of cancers we have and emphasis on nutritional foods are the silver
situation in our country, are we in a then going a step further to build capacity bullet for securing public health.
crisis? in terms of training medics to combat them.
CS Kagwe: Kenyans have been facing For the first time in the Kenyan History,
Erick Gichuru - Web and Media
various challenges with managing the cancer private hospitals will be referring patients
disease. Besides physical and emotional to public hospitals, thanks to the state
pain, the cost of treatment of cancer to the of the art medical facilities and expertise
economy is also overwhelming. Kenyans being invested in public hospitals.
spend over Ksh 10 billion annually seeking
Rubadiri: How do we increase the
cancer treatment in India, South Africa and
appetite for treatment in public
other foreign countries.
facilities.
Rubadiri: How will Wanjiku benefit CS Kagwe: Besides affordable care, the
from cancer care at KUTRRH. government is shifting to prevention in
CS Kagwe: Early cancer diagnosis has been healthcare delivery. To achieve this, the
an open secret in increasing cancer survival
rates because most cancers are treatable
when detected early enough. With this in
mind, the government is investing in a full
range of cancer care with diagnostics or
rather prevention being the main agenda.
Early diagnosis will not only increase the
chances of successful treatment but will
also cut treatment costs.
Rubadiri: What is the endgame of the
government’s current approach to
cancer care.
CS Kagwe: The goal is to deliver Universal
Health Care to Kenyans and beyond; in
this case being comprehensive cancer care
here at home. KUTRRH is set to have the
first of its kind public Integrated Molecular
Imaging Centre (though more are coming)
that will have sophisticated equipment
for treatment such as 2 PET/CT Scanners,
SPECT/CT Scanner, 2 MRI 3Tesla units, The HOD Radiology, Mr. Isaac Kamau, explains the working of the LINAC Machine.
7
World AIDS Day Commemoration
S
tarted in 1988, World AIDS technicians, public health officers and An estimated 40 million people
Day was the first-ever global occupational therapists. It offers the worldwide have died of AIDS since
health day. World AIDS Day, following services: 1981, and an estimated 37 million are
observed each year on December 1, is Comprehensive care-this is a holistic living with HIV, making it one of the
an opportunity for people worldwide approach to managing persons most important Global Public Health
to unite in the fight against HIV, show infected with HIV and those affected. issues in recorded history. Despite
their support for people with HIV, The approach used is majorly clinical recent improvements in treatment, the
and remember those who have died care and psychological and socio- AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated
from an HIV-related illness. The day economical support. two million lives each year, of which
is dedicated to spreading awareness Care and support provided to people more than 250,000 are children.
of the AIDS pandemic and to mourn living with HIV/AIDS. This includes; Public health challenges globally have
those who have died of the disease. socioeconomic support and VCT a bearing on the health situation
Kenyatta University Teaching, Research services.
and Referral Hospital commemorated Palliative care and end of life of care. This
the day whose theme was “Global is an approach used by comprehensive KUTRRH provided the
Solidarity; Shared Responsibility” care centre which improves the quality comprehensive care services
which calls for all individuals of of life of the patient and their families and health education at
society to participate and overcome life-threatening illness
celebrate the contribution through prevention, assessment and our grounds and involved
of communities to the HIV treatment of the patient, and other the community since this
response. physical, psychological, and spiritual is a global effort and thus
As we celebrated the problems. participation and advocacy
day, KUTRRH provided
the comprehensive care World AIDS Day of communities will ensure
services and health education 2020 was not like that the spotlight remains on
at our grounds and involved the any other because the fight towards HIV/AIDs
community since this is a global of the COVID-19
effort and thus participation and pandemic. COVID-19
advocacy of communities will is threatening the progress that in any country. New and emerging
ensure that the spotlight remains the world has made in health and communicable diseases, especially
on the fight towards HIV/AIDs and development over the past 20 Ebola, SARS (severe acute respiratory
that this response is people-centred. years, including the gains we have syndrome), avian flu and COVID-19,
Similarly, we speak out against HIV made against HIV. Even if we fight along with HIV/AIDS, do not respect
stigma and call for an increased Coronavirus, we need to renew our border crossings. The goal of the
response to move toward Ending the fight to end HIV; Use innovative HIV public health department in KUTRRH
HIV Epidemic. Besides, we created services to ensure continued HIV is to improve lives through a focus on
awareness on the Road Safety. care; engage and protect our nurses, the prevention of disease, protection
At KUTRRH we support people midwives and community health of the public, staff and visitors against
living with HIV by providing the workers; and prioritize the vulnerable environmental hazards and health
Comprehensive Care Centre where we – youth and key populations. We need education and promotion. The team
provide holistic care and management. also to recognize that community health is made of public health officers and
The hospital has a team of workers workers and civil society organizations assistants who are committed to
that lead to the success of the play a singular role in combatting ensuring that all preventable diseases
services in the centre. This team stigma and discrimination, as well as that affect our people are reduced.
includes; doctors, nurses, nutritionists, in expanding access to testing and
pharmacist, physiotherapist, laboratory treatment of HIV worldwide. Felix Karani - Public Health
8
TAKING HEALTHCARE TO OUR COMMUNITY
The community liaison office in Tree Planting: Pentecostal Evangelical School and Kiwanja, next to PEFA
KUTRRH serves as a communication Fellowship of Africa (P.E.F.A.) church.
link between the Hospital and Church, Kiwanja, in partnership with
the Community; connects special Compassion International Kenya Proposed Improvement Upgrading of
populations with the required services through the KE0451 outreach Healthcare Waste Management Plant:
e.g. the disabled, patients with long- program, led by Rev. Peter Muchai and Community leaders and
term care, special population with his team donated and planted 10 Thika representatives were invited to attend
government service and community Palm trees and 50 Glaviera trees in a public meeting on Environmental and
support projects; and facilitates conflict KUTRRH. The Acting C.E.O., Dr. Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) that
resolution with community Victor Njom and members was held at the project site (KUTRRH)
member by addressing of staff from various on Friday the 23/10/2020 at 10 a.m. It
issues that could occur departments each was spearheaded by the contractors,
between members planted a tree DEVLINK in collaboration with officials
and the other to grace this from the Public Health and the
entity. occasion. Community Liaison offices of KUTRRH.
T h o m a s P. E . F. A .
Bognanno, C h u r c h , Donations to the needy: Covid-19
president Kiwanja was pandemic affected people’s economic,
and C.E.O. of first known social and health status. The Board of
Community to KUTRRH Directors appointed a committee to
Health Charities in October oversee and implement, with the help
asserts that it 2019 when of the community leaders, the idea
is difficult to be Rev. Muchai of identifying needy members of the
healthy personally welcomed community who required assistance.
if your community members of The Board of Directors and staff
is unhealthy, “A KUTRRH staff and donated towards foodstuffs for this
good community is the the community to cause. The Chairperson of the Board,
ecosystem or environment use the church facilities Prof. O. Mugenda, graced the occasion
in which people live.” and any other services they on 22nd December 2020 and shared
At KUTRRH, we endeavor to attain required for the success of the medical foodstuffs donated by staff and the
acceptable health standards by camps they held at Kiwanja sports Board, an initiative meant to assist
reaching out to the community which field while creating awareness of the families facing financial gaps caused by
contributes greatly to the welfare of existence and services of the Hospital. Covid-19 pandemic during the festive
an individual, his/her family, friends He expressed his desire to work season.
and the nation. Below are some of the closely with KUTTRH for the better of
activities that KUTRRH has conducted the children and the community. The community liaison officials take this
and involved the community: opportunity to thank the Management
The World Kidney Day is a global Medical Camps: It was necessary and staff of KUTRRH for their continued
health awareness campaign celebrated to create awareness to the public support this far and look forward
every second Thursday of March each and members of the community of to building healthy local community
year. The goal of the campaign is to the existence and services offered relationships and participation in future
raise awareness of the importance of in KUTRRH. In this regard, the events and activities.
healthy kidneys, educate the public on management worked in collaboration
the risk factors and provide screening with the Kahawa Development Forum
for those that may be at risk. It aims Leaders and the Community Health Rose Nteere - Community Liaison
at educating the communities on workers to create awareness about the
ways of lowering the risk factors to services of the hospital as well as offer
the minimum. In 2020, this day was free medical services during the camp.
celebrated on 12th March 2020 at The camps were held at Market Place
Uhuru Park grounds. of Kahawa West, Githurai Primary
9demonstrated astute leadership as well
Fueling Digital as a sound and agile executive. The Reliability,
staff, customers and citizens appreciate responsiveness,
Transformation the vision and are consuming the
rapport, tangibles and
product of the vision in the name of
with Service a quality patient-centred care by digital innovation are
KUTRRH. This vision of the
Quality board and the executive the yardsticks of the
requires an effective ICT department
Digital transformation is the use digital environment.
of digital technologies to create Evaluation of the efficacy and accurately. The second is
or modify an existing business of the ICT unit of the responsiveness or the willingness to
model, business processes help users and to provide prompt
or customer experience to service. The third is rapport or the
respond more effectively to ability to convey caring and courteous
changing customer expectations support. The final is tangibles or the
as well as business and market ability to provide physical facilities,
requirements. It is the use of equipment and decent appearance
digital technologies to make the of personnel. Digital innovation,
organization more responsive to organization in imagining new tools for digital
the realities of the digital age. translating the transformation, would be the author’s
vision of the modification to Tarvid’s model. What
While digital transformation is board and the would you add or modify?
both necessary and essential in the dexterity of the Reliability, responsiveness, rapport,
digital age, it has to be unbundled executive into tangibles and digital innovation are
and practical. The responsibility tangible digital the yardsticks of the ICT department
to bring it to reality to the internal age realities that is responsible to the executive
customer, staff, and transform the for the citizenry and the board to spearhead the digital
experience of the external consumer becomes important. transformation agenda for KUTRRH to
of the business products/services, the How do we evaluate the efficacy meet or exceed citizen expectations in
customer, lies with a robust ICT unit of the ICT unit? There are four main the digital age health care environment.
buttressed by effective leadership and parameters derived from Tarvid’s
governance, the executive and the model for digital readiness assessment Dr. Mwirigi Kiula - ICT & Innovation
board of the organization. in higher education. The first parameter
is reliability or the ability to perform
KUTRRH has a visionary board that has promised services dependably
10scope of the changing medical envi- Reading Space and Library
A Peek into ronment. The library provides mate-
rials that will stimulate our clientele
Sections
The Library has adequate reading
Our Library
on factual knowledge thus our motto space that is well furnished with com-
“Today a reader tomorrow a leader.” fortable reading tables and chairs. We
The library is on the second floor of the have a Circulation desk where all que-
Welcome to Kenyatta University Teach- main hospital building. ries are presented and checking-in and
ing, Referral and Research Hospital Li- Library Services checking-out of books are done. We
brary. • Our current services include; also have an e-Learning section that
The essence of Kenyatta University • Lending services (checking-in and is well equipped with computers that
Teaching, Referral and Research Hos- checking-out) have fast internet connectivity.
pital Library is to disseminate updated • Current awareness services
and significant information in the con- • Online database searches Electronic resources
cerned field and also to give pinpoint- • Reference services The library has open access to e-jour-
ed information promptly. We also as- nals that can be accessed from the
pire to provide and support personal Our Clientele library computers or if the user has a
training and development within the The Library is meant to serve KUTRRH laptop e.g. Hinari. We are also in the
Professors, medical doctors, and nurs- process of subscribing to more e-jour-
es, departmental members of staff, nals and e-books that will be satisfac-
medical students, and researchers. tory to our user needs. We also have
implemented a REDCap web-based
Library collection application that will be used in captur-
The library collection is in form of ing data for clinical research and create
print and non-print. This includes databases and projects.
books and e-resources. To build our
collection, we are in the process of Loan limits and operational
seeking donations in form of print and hours
non-print. This may include books, Our members of staff are allowed to
journals, articles, newsletters, borrow a maximum of two books for a
and any medical-related informa- week. All checking-in and checking-out
tion materials. We are therefore of books are done through the circula-
requesting our clientele who tion desk. We have reference materials
would like to make donations that are only used in the library and
to drop them off at the library cannot be checked out. The Library is
during working hours. open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00
pm.
Anne Njoroge – Library.
The Honour of Receiving a Commendation
from The President – Alice Mwaura
Having practiced as a nurse for over KUTRRH. This is a call that changed my the eighth person only to be called
14 years, never had I thought that I life as she informed me that the Board being the fourth one. My heart was
would be standing right in front of the had nominated me to receive the OGW pounding as I navigated my way to the
President to receive an award. The presidential award. podium, as the crowd cheered and the
most magnificent moment of it all The weight of the matter had not hit me flashing cameras threatened to render
when receiving the Order of the until I found myself being whisked into me blind.
Grand Warrior (OGW) award was a car minutes later being rushed rush Finally, I was awarded, the OGW, for
when H.E. The President, Hon. to Harambee House. It was a surreal selfless and dedicated service in the
Uhuru Kenyatta, applauded me experience made even stranger when, fight against COVID-19. What a journey
and said, ‘Congratulations I received a call from Mr Joseph Kinyua, it has been from when the first 14
Njeri!’ the Head of the Public Service, who was patients arrived at the hospital on 18th
It was an accumulation worried that I might not make it in time March 2020.
of Fourteen years of due to the traffic jam at Pangani. I cannot attribute this award to purely
hard work to my I had to step out of the car and hop on personal effort given that I work with a
current position as a bodaboda to avoid missing the only uniquely diverse team, whom I consider
the Nurse in Charge ticket to Nyayo National Stadium where warriors in the face of a pandemic. I
of the Isolation Ward rehearsals were going down. consider the award as God’s favour.
at Kenyatta University On Jamhuri Day, 12th December 2020, Special thanks to my mom for educating
Teaching, Referral and I was dropped off by a friend at the me and raising me and to the KUTRRH
Research Hospital. venue donned in my official nurse Board for not only nominating me for
On the morning of uniform. The familiar face of the Chair the award but also for giving me an
December 11th 2020, I of the Board, Prof. Mugenda at the Dais opportunity to serve.
received a call from Prof. gave me an uncanny sense of relief and
Olive Mugenda, the pride. Derek Mwathi – Marketing
Chair of the Board at I was meant to receive the award being
11Tackling Oesophageal Cancer:
A Collaboration
T he care of patients with
cancer is an increasing
burden on
health resources in Kenya.
strained
Cancer of the breast, cervix
The Christie Foundation
manages The Christie Hospital in
Manchester while The University
of Manchester is a public research
university in the UK.
•
•
the cancer
Patient/public engagement
and involvement
Capacity
Training
Building and
and prostate have represented
It is from this shared interest to The program framework
as the more common forms of
save lives that KUTRRH and The is structured to a hub and
malignant diseases afflicting the
Christie Foundation brought spokes model which arranges
East African Region. The new
on board other partners like service delivery assets into a
culprit in town is oesophageal
the Media Campaign Resource network consisting of an anchor
cancer that has, in recent years,
Centre, National Cancer Institute, establishment (hub) which
increased in incidence as the
Jomo Kenyatta University of offers a full array of services,
3rd leading cancer in men and
Agriculture and Technology, complemented by secondary
women in Kenya. On account of
Kenya Medical Research Institute establishments (spokes). In this
late presentation and diagnosis,
and Kenyatta University to case, KUTRRH is the hub and all
learning that you have this cancer
other stakeholders being the
purportedly translates to a
spokes.
death sentence as it is recording We acknowledge that
an equal rate in incidence and working together The Partnerships, Linkages and
mortality. Resource Mobilisation directorate
is more effective at KUTRRH looks forward to
Kenyatta University Teaching,
Referral and Research Hospital than working in undertaking more projects to
provide quality patient-centred
(KUTRRH) envisions being able isolation. It is for this and evidence-based care for
to enhance the quality of lives reason that KUTRRH the benefit of all Kenyans and
for all Kenyans and regional
citizens by being a centre of created a Directorate regional citizens.
renowned clinical excellence, of Partnerships,
medical training and research. Linkages and Resource Melissa Mwangi - Partnerships &
To achieve this, we acknowledge
Mobilisation. Collaboration
the fact that working together is
more effective than working in
isolation. It is for this reason that establish a clinical pathway
KUTRRH created a Directorate from screening to an outcome
of Partnerships, Linkages and for oesophageal cancer. The
Resource Mobilisation. program is ongoing and has set
The Directorate facilitated a out to achieve four aims:
partnership venture with The • To develop a structured
University of Manchester and clinical pathway to improve
The Christie NHS Foundation early detection and outcome
Trust (UK) in the field of health. • Research on the genomic of
12Gallery
Inspection of the ultra-modern and the first-ever PUBLIC Integrated The PS Ministry of Health, Susan Mochache, Officially Launched the
Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) not only in Kenya but also in the region Centre for Specialized Clinics on 5th November 2020. One of the major
by Hon. CS MOH, Hon Mutahi Kagwe. The goal is to increase the capacity goals for KUTRRH is to provide specialised medical care, medical
of the Hospital to offer a fully comprehensive continuum of cancer care. training and research in one facility within Kenya and beyond.
Hon. Joe Mucheru CS ICT Innovation and youth Affairs operationalizes the The KUTRRH Health Mission team on returning from Seychelles present a
Medical Innovation and Accelerator Hub (MIAH).Kutrrh has innovation at gift to the CS Ministry Health, Hon Mutahi Kagwe. The mission team had
heart. travelled to support Seychelles deal with Covid-19 pandemic.
The KUTRRH Mission team from Seychelles pose for a photo with the CS Ministry of Health, Hon Mutahi Kagwe. The team performed
exceptionally well in a foreign country and raised the flag of Kenya high. Accompanying the CS is the representative of KUTRRH Board of
Directors, Mr. Kithinji Kiragu, the Ag. CEO, Dr. Victor Njom and the Hospital Senior Management Team
13Gallery
The KUTRRH Ag. CEO, Dr. Victor Njom (fourth from right) after a The Director Training & Capacity Building, Prof. Wangari Mwai and
collaborative session with the Coast Provincial General Hospital. Director, Human Resources Development, Dr. Tabby Mungai after a
mission of Nakuru County Hospital visit.
Mr. Ahmed Dagane (Director Collaboration) and Mr. Isaac Kamau KUTRRH new staff orientation in November 2020. The Ag. CEO,
(right) with H.E. Prof Anyang Nyong’o. The team engaged on best Dr. Victor Njom, giving his remarks. The HR Directorate organizes
practices and collaborations on cancer management and the up- bimonthly staff orientation sessions
coming Cancer and Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre.
The Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa (P.E.F.A.) Church, Dr. Gladys Mwakio from the KUTRRHs Comprehensive Care Clinic sharing
Kiwanja, in partnership with Compassion International Kenya on the the recent invention of self-test, available to the public on request.
donated and planted 10 Thika Palm trees and 50 Glaviera trees in The self-test tool has been developed to allow people to know their HIV
KUTRRH Status at their discretion.
14Research and Clinical Trials
B eing a research hospital, research
is one of the core mandates
of KUTRRH. The Research and
Clinical Trials Department spearheads
and coordinates the Hospital research
routine medical care. The patients’
medical treatment is not altered in
any way. Patients may be asked to fill
out a questionnaire and give blood for
use to help researchers gain a better
time.
Clinical trials, unlike observational studies,
contain an intervention and determines
the safety, efficacy and dosing of a medical,
surgical, or behavioral intervention.
agendas including promoting, facilitating understanding of the progression of the Clinical trials may be randomized in which
and coordinating research programs; disease. groups of participants are randomly
building capacity of staff to carry out We currently have several types under selected to either receive the standard of
research; spearheading conduct of observational studies. Among them; care (best approved treatment to date) or
clinical audits to identify gaps and areas the drug under study
of improvement, effective dissemination • Cross-sectional study which analyzes
of research findings, and developing Through the Hospital Clinical Research and
innovative services. Support Committee,
This is aimed at informing 30 research
This is aimed at informing treatment of proposals
emerging diseases both infectious and treatment of emerging have been
non-communicable diseases in line with diseases both infectious received for
the Hospital mission to provide ‘patient- evaluation.
centered and evidence based health care, and non-communicable Of these, 13
training, and innovation’ to enhance the diseases in line with have been
quality of lives of Kenyans and regional approved,
citizens. the Hospital mission to
most of the
Why is research important in KUTRRH? provide ‘patient-centered approved
KUTRRH does research to gain valuable and evidence based health studies are at
information for the medical community. various regulatory
Research at the Hospital will help the care approvals (IRBs PPB &
medical community to; NACOSTI) and funds sourcing, 2 are
data collected from one specific pending approval and 15 have been
• Learn about the cause of a disease point in time. rejected. Those rejected were rejected on
and its effects on the patient
• Prospective cohort study which the basis of overlapping objectives, having
• Find effective treatments to improve follow participants over a period of titles which are not clear and/or lack of
quality of life for those affected time to evaluate disease progression a PI/Co-investigator from KUTRRH. 2 of
• Determine if a medicine used for and outcomes. the approved studies have commenced
one condition could benefit another • Case-control study which compares implementation. These studies are in
condition participants diagnosed with a disease areas of Cancer, Covid-19 and Renal.
Types of research and research studies to those who do not have the disease To carry out any research at KUTRRH,
supported in the Hospital through the in order to discover or analyze risk please get in touch with the Research
Department factors. These studies are either and Clinical Trials Department via
Current research studies at the Hospital retrospective which means they look ddresearch-clinicaltrials@kutrrh.go.ke
fall into observational studies and clinical back in time at the progression of and researchmanager@kutrrh.go.ke for
trials. the disease or prospective in which assistance.
participants record information
In observational studies, patients are regarding exposure to risk factors of
observed and monitored while receiving Kinya Idah - Research & Clinical Trials
the disease as they move forward in
15Gatundu Hospital
Renovations
Gatundu Hospital renovations
projects were officially launched on
21st September 2020 by Prof. Olive
Mugenda, the Chairperson, Board
of Directors. Since then a lot has
happened marking improvement in
service delivery.
Treatment of patients has been
impacted by posting of 7 Medical
Officers, 5 Clinical Officers, 10 nurses
and 1 lab technician. These postings
have seen an increased number
of patients at Gatundu Hospital,
especially due to the industrial action
by Clinical Officers and nurses in
Kiambu County. KUTRRH has also
continued to support Gatundu
Hospital with non-pharmaceuticals
and pharmaceutical to ensure quality
service delivery.
Renovation works are ongoing with
the Phase I projects expected to
be completed by end of February
2021. Gatundu Hospital is also slowly
changing into a very beautiful facility. Repaired solar water heating
The first things that strikes anyone who New OPD ablution block system
was familiar with the old-look Tower
One are the beautiful colors seen
here below. Painting of walls inside
the buildings has also transformed
the working spaces.
Patients are now enjoying hot showers
after the refurbishment of the solar
water heating system that had been
non-operational from 2016.
The OPD and the walkways have new
roofs. There is no more dreading of
rains since consultations now go on
uninterrupted and patients can walk New kitchen- ongoing
construction Cabro-paved Road
along the walkways with no need for
umbrellas. The muddy road leading to Tower New gates will be put in place too.
One has been cabro-paved. The road
Roads within the Hospital have been Dr Ruth Irumbi - Gatundu Annex
from Gate B to the new kitchen has
surfaced. The road from Gate A is now
cabro-paving. Alongside each of the
two-way and it is being tarmacked.
roads are cabro-paved foot paths.
16New Digital Products
for Improved Citizen
Experience the go including leave and stores
KUTRRH has rolled out new digital services on the go, “mobile phone” requests among others.
products driven by the four-point and make use of a personal Artificial The Hospital has also rolled out a
digital transformation agenda which Intelligence assistant to recommend self-service kiosk where patients and
include: focus on citizen experience; best care. their close circle of care can print
buttressed by stable systems and To better equip Heads of the patient prescriptions including
operations; visibility of data and Departments for improved patient visit summary and receive laboratory
information for evidence-based care, there is the MIS App which results as well as follow up self-
healthcare/decision-making; fueled will include patients registered, registration.
by disruptive digital innovation. treated, admitted or discharged KUTRRH will also facilitate referring
The Hospital Management per defined period, as well as stock facilities such as County and private
Information System (HMIS) has gone movement, laboratory, pharmacy hospitals with a Referral App to
a notch higher with the rollout of and departmental revenue reports. smoothen the referral process and
Mobile Apps hosted on Google Play The MIS App will also help heads improve the quality of care for
and Apple App Store and self-service of departments make approvals on citizens. The referring facility will
kiosks. capture vital details for the patient
The Patient App, dubbed KUTRRH being referred so that preparatory
Connect, is the first one to be rolled planning can be done by the time
The Hospital Management the patient arrives at KUTRRH. This
out. Through this, a patient can self-
register, book doctor’s appointments, Information System has significant benefits to the patient
obtain e-prescriptions, view and thus contributory to health
prescribed medications and (HMIS) has gone a notch and wellbeing in the nation and the
region.
schedules, check for pending orders, higher with the rollout The disruptive digital innovation
make bill payments, be notified of
upcoming clinical follow-ups and of Mobile Apps hosted on continues and more digital tools will
be unveiled for a quality patient-
view their health records. Google Play and Apple centered care.
The second is the Doctor’s App, Dr.
KUTRRH, where clinicians can get App Store and self-service
timely updates on their patient’s Dr. Mwirigi Kiula - ICT & Innovation
vital information, manage clinical
kiosks.
Editorial Team
Prof. Wangari Mwai, Chair Dr. Ruth Ndungu, Member Steve Mwangi, Graphics Designer
Dr. Mwirigi Kiula, Creative Director Erick Gichuru, Member Erick Kinungi, Graphics Designer
Francis Wachira, Editor Daniel Kimondo, Member
Andrew Kiiru, Secretary Derek Mwathi, Member
Melissa Mwangi, Co-Secretary George Owana, Member
17Fun Spot
Do you know these surprising
Health Facts?
More than half your bones are
located in your hands and feet
Sudoku
KNOW YOUR HOSPITAL
2 5
1.Where is KUTRRH located?
a)Kahawa Tungu b)Kahawa Sukari c) Kahawa West 5 1 9 6
2. Can I walk in for treatment whatever time ?
6 7 8
Yes.... No..... Answer: KUTRRH is purely a referral hospital.
5 4
3. Can I see my friend at the wards at anytime?
Yes.......... No.......... Answer 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m 1 7 2 9 3
4. Can a patient access the hospital online? 3 1
Yes.......... No.......... Answer Yes, Mobile App KUTRRHConnect
1 2 5
5. Can a doctor serve a patient online?
Yes.......... No.......... Answer Yes, Mobile App DrKutrrh 6 5 4 9
3 1
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