At the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. observes a subdural hematoma surgery (cleaning blood leakage around the brain from head injuries) through an advanced digital technology known as Proximie.
The governor, together with a coterie of medical personnel and Proximie officials, follows this surgery on a screen mounted in one of the conference rooms for the entire hour as the procedure takes place in the theatre downstairs.
The patient, a 51-year-old man who had suffered head injuries from a fall, consented to have his procedure screened live in a bid to document his recovery journey.
Proximie is a cutting-edge technology that remotely connects an operating theatre through the use of cameras, speakers and computers through the internet.
This technology allows specialists from any part of the world to follow surgical procedures and consult in real time.
“Instead of travelling to Mbooni Sub-county Hospital, I can log in and provide guidance during surgeries from wherever I am,” says Dr. Mbithi, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, highlighting the convenience and efficiency that Proximy offers.
Dr. Mutiso, a neurosurgeon at the county, says this technology has brought a new level of sophistication to our operations mentorship, where interns gain valuable insights without overcrowding the theatre.
This technology has successfully been implemented at the Mother and Child Hospital for management of obstetric fistula, obstetric safe surgeries, neurosurgeries and other complicated operations.
This facility is now home to the first Proximie-powered operating theatre in the country, showcasing how digital innovation can transform surgical care and resource management.
Makueni County, the first in the country to implement this technology, has since connected five sub-county hospitals, allowing specialists to collaborate seamlessly.
“As a large county with diverse medical needs, this technology alleviates pressure on our healthcare providers and enhances patient care,” Governor Kilonzo states.
“We can train our interns, monitor procedures, and consult with specialists, ensuring safe and effective surgeries."
“Telemedicine should become the new normal in our country,” he emphasised, envisioning a future where even remote patients can access life-saving surgeries.
Jhpiego has collaborated with the county to support safe deliveries, investing an average of Sh400,000 per theatre for training and monitoring in the five facilities connected.
Charmed by the success of this technology in Makueni, governors from Nakuru, Murang’a, and Mombasa have expressed their intent to replicate the same in their respective counties. Health officials from the said counties have been trooping to Makueni on benchmarking expeditions on this technology.
Dr. Shannon Shibarta, head of Global Proximie, says counties must embrace and domesticate this technology as it is crucial for sustainable healthcare in the country.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili feels that the technology has more advantages for women, stating, “We want every mother to leave the hospital safe after delivery, whether it’s a normal birth or a C-section.”
She noted that complications like fistulas can also be addressed more effectively with specialist support during surgeries.
