By Robert Mutasi 
Uasin Gishu County is steadily cementing its reputation as Kenya’s leading healthcare hub, thanks to a series of medical advancements at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) that are transforming access to specialized treatment for thousands of patients.
The hospital’s latest achievement, successfully performing Kenya’s first Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure, marks a major milestone not only for the country’s healthcare system but also for residents of Uasin Gishu, who now have access to world-class liver treatment closer to home.
For many families in the county, specialized healthcare has traditionally meant long journeys to Nairobi or expensive referrals abroad. Those trips often came with high travel costs, long waiting periods and emotional strain for patients battling life-threatening illnesses.
The successful TIPS procedure signals a shift in that reality.
The minimally invasive treatment creates a new pathway for blood flow inside the liver, reducing dangerously high pressure caused by advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis. The procedure can prevent severe internal bleeding and other life-threatening complications while reducing the need for major surgery.
For Uasin Gishu residents, the breakthrough means advanced treatment is now available within their county, allowing patients to receive specialized care without leaving their support networks or incurring significant travel expenses.
As the largest referral hospital in western Kenya, MTRH serves millions of people from Uasin Gishu and neighboring counties. Every advancement made at the facility directly improves access to healthcare for local communities.
The milestone was made possible through the installation of a modern angiographic suite, which allows doctors to perform highly specialized image-guided procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.
Dr. Cornelius Kipchirchir, a consultant interventional radiologist at MTRH, said the procedure demonstrates that highly specialized treatment can now be safely delivered in Kenya.
“Successfully performing Kenya’s first TIPS procedure is a significant achievement and demonstrates that highly specialized interventions can be safely and effectively delivered locally,” he said.
The hospital’s growing expertise is expected to reduce the number of patients referred to facilities outside the region, easing pressure on families and improving survival rates for those requiring urgent care.
For residents of Eldoret and the wider Uasin Gishu County, that translates into quicker diagnosis, faster treatment and lower healthcare costs.
The advancement is also expected to strengthen Eldoret’s position as a medical destination, attracting patients from neighboring counties and countries seeking specialized services.
The increased flow of patients supports the local economy by creating demand for hotels, transport services, pharmacies, restaurants and other businesses that serve patients and their families.
Dr. Daniel Chepsiror, another consultant interventional radiologist at MTRH, said the hospital is entering a new phase of specialized healthcare.
“The availability of our angiographic suite has opened new possibilities for advanced patient care. Performing the TIPS procedure represents the beginning of a broader range of high-end interventional radiology procedures that will benefit patients across the region,” he said.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Phillip Kirwa said the hospital’s progress reflects years of investment in modern technology, specialist training and international partnerships.
“This milestone reflects the transformative impact of strategic partnerships, investment in advanced medical technology and sustained capacity building of our specialists,” he said.
He added that the hospital is positioning itself as a regional center of excellence for minimally invasive procedures, ensuring that patients can receive life-saving treatment locally instead of traveling abroad.
The historic procedure was performed during an interventional radiology training camp involving MTRH specialists, the AMPATH Radiology Partnership and experts from the United States led by Dr. Matt Johnson of Indiana University School of Medicine.
During the training, doctors also successfully performed several other complex procedures, including retrieval of a guidewire from the aorta, placement of internal biliary drains and angioplasty to treat blocked veins.
For Uasin Gishu, these achievements represent more than medical milestones. They reflect the county’s growing role as a center for advanced healthcare, medical education and research.
As MTRH continues expanding its specialized services, residents are expected to benefit from improved access to cutting-edge treatment, reduced referral costs, shorter waiting times and better health outcomes.
With each new breakthrough, Eldoret is strengthening its standing not only as the City of Champions but also as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing centers for specialized healthcare, giving Uasin Gishu residents greater confidence that life-saving treatment is increasingly available at their doorstep.
Eldoret Leo