Busia County residents have a reason to smile as very delicate knee surgeries have been devolved.
This is after Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH) recorded history as the first health institution in Western Kenya to conduct knee replacement surgery.
Two patients underwent successful surgeries Tuesday in the exercise led by Dr Jerry Cooper an American who is remembered for carrying a knee surgery on former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards striker Dr JJ Masiga.
Dr Cooper was assisted by Kenyan born, Dr Daniel Odipo and his daughter, Cyndy Odipo.
The surgical camp was done at the invitation of Busia County and arrangements made through Professor Joseph Mulimba, who comes from the area and Busia County Orthopaedic Dr Daniel Alushula.
Addressing the press after the second surgery that took one-and-half hours, Dr Odipo said knee replacement was only a preserve of Kenyatta National Hospital for the last 21 years.
“We have been doing total knee replacements (TKR) at Kenyatta for the past 21 years and we thought that we should branch out to counties where the needy patients who could not afford to come to KNH can be reached and also benefit from this service.
This service alone is focused at replacing knees that have been damaged over ages through wear and tear.
Many patients cannot afford this service because of its cost.
TKR normally will cost about Ksh500, 000 but today we are here with in-plants and products we use and we are doing for free,” he said.
Dr Odipo urged those with dire need to take advantage of the free exercise, noting that those with arthritic needs can benefit from this service.
County Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Dr Isaac Omeri thanked the doctors including Prof. Mulimba, Dr Odipo and Dr Cooper for carrying the surgical camp in Busia and hoped for more future cooperation.