The Nairobi West Hospital has launched the first Bone Marrow Transplant in the country that will provide a broad range of integrate and patient-centric services for the management of all kinds of blood disorders in both adults and children including cancers of the blood.
Professor Andrew Kanyi Gachii, Chief Medical Director at the hospital explained the importance of access to quality, affordable and specialised healthcare in the country that has been a major problem for most patients who have to travel abroad for medical procedures like bone marrow transplants.
“The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is an integral part of the Nairobi West Hospital. The hospital aims to provide easy access to bone marrow transplants as a possible cure for patients with complex blood disorders. Our dedicated and internationally recognised transplant specialists embrace the values of innovation, collaboration, confidentiality, empathy, integrity, and focus on providing comprehensive care to all patients. This is also an aim to be the leading BMT unit not only in East Africa, but across Africa,” he said.
The hospital’s Head of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Dr. Guarav Dixit noted that BMT offers the only hope of cure in treating blood cancers like Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia (ALL), that would otherwise be difficult to treat with conventional chemotherapy alone.
“It is usually a safe procedure for patients with sickle cell disease if done at a young age. Other emerging indications that can be treated with BMT include Multiple Sclerosis and Paediatric immunodeficiency. It is important to note that this therapy is evidence-based across the globe, and now readily available in Kenya to all who may need it in a world class facility that can rival many in the west,” he said.
Dr Kibet Shikuku, Chief Consulting Pathologist, further expounded that the cancer burden is rising globally, exerting significant strain on populations and health systems at all income levels.
“Being diagnosed with blood cancer can bring fear, frustration and uncertainty. When detected and treated early however, blood cancer can be treated successfully. We are fortunate to have local healthcare providers like The Nairobi West Hospital which offers an effective and holistic treatment plan for patients,” Shikuku said.