KISUMU, 9th Sept 2026 -The one-week Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative medical camp kicked off in Kisumu with a target to perform 43 specialized neurosurgical procedures to eligible patients.
The initiative, started in 2017, was birthed to address the growing burden of drug-resistant epilepsy, neuro-trauma, brain tumours and complex spine disorders. It aims to reduce seizure frequency, improve neurological outcomes and build a safe, healthy society through access to advanced neurosurgical care.
Led by its Co-founder and US-based Dr Bethwel Raore of Apex Spine and Neurosurgery, the camp seeks to decentralize specialized services so patients do not have to travel to Nairobi or abroad for treatment.
“Our goal is to come back to Kisumu and give back to society. So far, we have done 12 successful surgeries for patients with brain tumours and spine cases,” Dr. Raore said during a media briefing at the Agakhan Kisumu Hospital.
Eligible patients first undergo rigorous clinical screening, neuroimaging evaluation and pre-anaesthetic assessment. Enrolled patients only require Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, with no additional surgical fees levied.
The program also provides structured psychosocial support and c8aregiver education for mothers of children living with epilepsy, focusing on adherence to anti-epileptic drugs, seizure first-aid, stigma reduction and long-term neurodevelopmental care.
Dr Raore said the initiative is anchored on three pillars: service delivery, capacity building and training. This includes skills transfer on emerging neurosurgical techniques, modern neuro-navigation equipment, and strengthening multidisciplinary team management involving neurosurgeons, neurologists, anaesthesiologists, critical care nurses, physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists.
The camp has grown its pool of volunteer medical professionals comprising of doctors and nurses to ensure adequate Peri-operative and Postoperative Care.
“So far, there are more than fourneurosurgeons based in Kisumu, with two at the Aga Khan Hospital (AGHK), and we continue to mentor medical students on neuroscience as a career path,” he added.
Other specialists in the team include Dr. Lee Ogutha (Neurosurgeon, Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu), Dr. Sabrina Zeller and Dr. Hamid Shah among others.
According to AGHK Medical Superitendant Simon Onsongo and Dr. Okumu, Head of Surgical Department at Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu, the facility will continue to support the university and county neurosurgery teams.
“Our aim is to have a safe society and ensure our patients have excellent clinical outcomes. If we do a good job as a department, we earn good standing in the community and we can be of support to others,” they said.
