THE DEPARTMENT OF ANAESTHESIA PARTICIPATION IN ST. THERESA MISSION HOSPITAL, KIIRUA, ORTHOPAEDIC CAMP

The Department of Anaesthesia participates in many local and international outreach activities. These outreach activities include anaesthesia provision, postoperative services, and educational activities.

The St. Theresa Mission Hospital Orthopaedic Camp is an annual event that largely focuses on hip and knee surgeries. The target patient population is rural and usually in low socio-economic status. This year, the event was a collaborative effort between the University of Nairobi (The Department of Surgery, Orthopaedic section, and The Department of Anaesthesia), St. Theresa Mission Hospital, The Kenya Society of Anaesthesiologists, and industrial partners.

The aims of the Department of Anaesthesia’s participation in this mission were:

1. Provision of high-quality safe regional anaesthesia to facilitate safe surgery and patient comfort.
2. Provision of effective and safe multi-modal postoperative analgesia, based on regional analgesia to facilitate recovery and early mobilization with a low incidence of severe postoperative pain and minimal side effects.
3. Advocacy for safe anaesthesia and pain relief through focused educational activities.

The Anaesthesia team from the University was headed by Dr. Timothy M. Mwiti and included Fourth Year residents, Dr. Mayur Jontangia, Dr. Daniel Gakuo, Dr. Bryan Atandi, and Dr. Pallavi Rajani, Third Year Resident. Dr. Mercy Kamau, a specialist anaesthesiologist at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital and Dr. Frank Gitonga, a specialist anaesthesiologist at the Isiolo Regional Hospital. This team worked closely and seamlessly with the anaesthesia providers from St. Theresa Mission Hospital led by Mr. Seth Mwirabwa Rwito.

The Orthopaedic team was led by Dr. Edward Gakuya of the University of Nairobi and included members from the Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery residents, and other Specialist Orthopaedic surgeons.

We acknowledge the medical supplies contribution from Harley’s Limited, Europa Healthcare limited and Phillips Therapeutics, and Ilara Health for supplying the ultrasound equipment.

St. Theresa Mission Hospital.

• Established in 1967 as a dispensary.
• A Level 5 Teaching & Referral Faith-Based Hospital. An apostolic service of the Little Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
• Located in Buuri Sub-County of Meru County.
• St. Theresa Mission Hospital has a bed capacity of 235.
• Offers a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient health services.