First Kenyan to undergo successful brain surgery at Machakos hospital dies

The man who made history as the first Kenyan to undergo a successful brain surgery at a Machakos hospital has died.

Henry Mutinda King’ola, 58, had been operated on in July: the complex surgery lasted three hours.

“He had improved. The wounds were healing and he could walk and talk but he has rested,” the Daily Nation quoted his widow Mary Mbinya.

According to the Nation, King’ola had complained of ‘heaviness’ and vomiting two months after the surgery.

On July 12, he had been admitted to the Machakos Level Five Hospital.

Doctors had noted that he had a history of frontal swelling and weakness of the right side of the body.

They conducted an MRI which revealed that he was suffering from frontal Glioblastoma multiforme.

He was advised to seek further review at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.

When he returned, he was told that doctors from the two hospitals would perform a craniotomy.

This is surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain which entails temporary removal of the bone flap, according to John Hopkins Medicine website.

Lead surgeon Sam Njiru and his team removed the brain tumour and later told journalists: “This is a milestone achievement for Machakos level 5 and a testimony that the Universal Health Coverage program is a practical solution to the country’s healthcare service delivery.”

Burial and funeral arrangement are underway at his home in Kisekini village, Machakos County.

Additional report from Enock Muswii