MTRH Makes History with Kenya’s First Renal Artery Bypass Surgery
KASS Digital,
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has achieved a major medical breakthrough by successfully conducting Kenya’s first Renal Artery Bypass Surgery.
This landmark and complex procedure was carried out on 24th June 2025 by the hospital’s Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery team, under the leadership of Dr Stephen Takow.
The surgery was caried out on a 20-year-old woman, who had been struggling with renovascular hypertension. This condition occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys become severely narrowed, making it difficult for the kidneys to function properly.
In this case, common treatment options like angioplasty or stenting were ruled out because they were not suitable for her specific condition.
The surgical team decided to perform a Renal Artery Bypass. This delicate procedure involves redirecting blood flow around the blocked artery using a graft. The graft can either be a natural blood vessel taken from the patient’s own body or a specially designed synthetic one.
Once in place, the graft allows blood to reach the kidneys normally again, helping to lower blood pressure and protect kidney function.
The Hospital (MTRH) reports that the surgery was successful and the patient is recovering well and has since been discharged and continues to do well at home.
This achievement marks a major step forward in Kenya’s medical field. It proves that with expertise and dedication, highly specialized procedures can be done locally. It also signals the hospital’s growing role in offering advanced treatment options that were previously unavailable in the country.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital remains committed to pushing the boundaries of medical care, ensuring that more patients can access life-saving procedures without having to travel abroad.
