East Africa’s first liver clinics to be set up in Kenya

Dennis Tarus

October 23, 2016 4:13 PM

The clinics will bolster care and management for liver patients, while encouraging foreign investment in Kenya's medical sector

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Kenyans suffering from various liver diseases have a reason to smile following a partnership between the Mediheal Group of hospitals and India's Yashoda Institute of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Diseases.

The partnership will see the setting up of three liver clinics in Nairobi, Eldoret and Nakuru making Kenya the first East African country to host such medical facilities.

The clinics will bolster care and management for liver patients, while encouraging foreign investment in Kenya's medical sector.

Currently, over 5000 Kenyans travel to India in search of liver treatment.

The clinics will help reduce mortality rates arising from increased cases of liver infections in Kenya.

Affordable medical care

Patients will now be able to access quality treatment in modern facilities at subsidised costs as well as reduce the number of patients travelling abroad for liver- related treatment.

Mediheal Group chairman S. R. Mishra said doctors in the country reported increased cases of liver failure due to Hepatitis and HIV complications.

"Liver diseases are increasing at an alarming rate in the country, especially among people who are unable to afford the costly treatment.

This partnership will enable patients access low-cost medical care for liver related illness, while raising our country's standards in the management of liver diseases,” Mishra said.

He said that the hospital will continue to sensitise communities on care and prevention of liver diseases including using properly treated water, clean ablution facilities and encouraging use of contraceptives that reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections such as Hepatitis B.

Dennis Tarus