Health/Feature
Nestled in the rural village of Silibwet, about 5 km from Bomet town, AGC Tenwek Hospital stands as one of the largest and most renowned healthcare facilities in Kenya. Established in 1937 by missionaries during the British colonial period, Tenwek has evolved into a leading rural-based hospital, particularly recognized for its groundbreaking heart surgeries.
Since making headlines in 2008 as the first rural health facility outside Nairobi to perform open-heart surgeries, Tenwek has played a crucial role in providing cardiovascular care to patients across the Nyanza region, parts of the South Rift Valley, and Central Rift.
Many of these surgeries were performed by dedicated missionaries and medical professionals on training exchanges. Due to increasing demand for cardiovascular services, the hospital recognized the need for expansion and the incorporation of advanced technologies.
Mr. Benjamin Siele, the acting CEO, stated that the vision for the new Cardiothoracic Centre emerged from the hospital’s leadership to enhance specialized cardiac care. “This initiative aims to address the urgent need for advanced cardiac treatment not only in Bomet County but throughout Africa,” Siele explained.
Tenwek Hospital accounts for 50% of corrective heart surgeries performed in Kenya annually, yet many patients continue to face long wait times for these critical procedures. In 2021, construction of the state-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Centre began, supported by Samaritan’s Purse and led by Franklin Graham, son of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, who was one of the first missionaries to visit Tenwek.
Dr. Russ White, Chief Cardiologist of the newly opened AGC Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre (in white coat), demonstrates procedures using a medical dummy to President William Ruto (second from right). Also in the picture is Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Debora Barasa (far right).
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director-General of Health, remarked, “Tenwek Hospital is a pioneer in open-heart surgeries, having operated on over 2,000 cases since 2008. This new centre will significantly increase the volume of major heart and chest surgeries in Kenya.”
Recently, President Dr William Ruto, alongside Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, officially commissioned the Cardiothoracic Centre, which is now open to patients seeking cardiovascular care from across the country and beyond. Dr. Russ White, the center’s director and chief cardiologist, noted that the facility was conceptualized in 2018 after extensive research highlighted two major health challenges: esophageal cancer and rheumatic heart disease.
The centre aims to meet the pressing demand for advanced cardiac treatment, with Dr. White revealing that approximately 850 patients are currently on the waiting list, many suffering from congenital heart issues. Previously, the hospital could only manage one surgery per day due to limited operating room capacity.
“It is unfortunate that we continue to lose patients from our waiting lists. With the opening of this new facility, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, we expect to significantly increase the number of complex surgeries performed,” Dr. White stated. The new Cardiothoracic Centre includes a 176-bed facility separate from the main hospital, featuring six cardiothoracic operating theatres, a preoperative holding area, a laboratory, a blood bank, and a 32-bed post-anesthesia care unit.
The newly constructed AGC Tenwek Cardiothoracic Centre, equipped with advanced cross-cutting technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, stands as the only facility of its kind in Eastern and Central Africa, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, it houses 52 intensive care units, six major operating tables, five endoscopy rooms, and advanced imaging capabilities. During its inauguration, Dr. Barasa emphasized the growing concern of cardiovascular diseases in Kenya, stating that patients with these conditions will be fully covered under the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
In line with our commitment to Universal Health Coverage, we have prioritized cardiovascular conditions within SHA’s health insurance funds to ensure comprehensive coverage for those affected,” she explained. Rheumatic heart disease is a significant health issue in Kenya, with over 4,000 children born with this congenital condition each year.
Alongside Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Tenwek Hospital remains one of the few facilities in the country capable of conducting open-heart surgeries.