GE Healthcare: Rising to the challenge of building a world that works with the first public sector comprehensive cancer centre for East and Central Africa

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta recently commissioned Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), which is set to host the first public sector comprehensive cancer centre in East and Central Africa. The launch was also marked by the President’s laying of a foundation stone for an Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) and Hospitality Centre. The IMIC is a unique facility for the early diagnosis and monitoring treatment of cancer, being equipped by GE Healthcare. GE will construct and equip the centre with molecular imaging equipment including PET CT to create 3D pictures of the inside of the body and help show up areas of cell activity, SPECT CT, which helps show the blood flow to tissues and organs and can help show tumors, and MRI scanners, as well as a Cyclotron so that KUTRRH can create its own radioisotope imaging agents. In addition, GE will partner with KUTRRH to provide specialised, on-the-job training for the cancer centre team over an 18-month period.

“KUTRRH is poised to become the only public facility in East and Central African region to offer the comprehensive continuum of cancer care with the establishment of an IMIC. This centre will have state of the art technologies that will help in early diagnosis and

management of cancer that will be expected to increase the survivorship of cancer patients, reverse outbound medical tourism while at the same time increasing inbound medical tourism into Kenya. This marks a significant milestone in the health sector and is a part of the country’s Big Four Agenda that prioritises increased access to quality and affordable healthcare to achieve Universal Health Coverage.”

Professor Olive Mugenda, Chairperson of the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH)