Natembeya Defends Wamalwa Kijana Hospital After Successful Spinal Surgeries Amid 'Shakahola' Jibe

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has defended Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital against critics referring to the facility as "Shakahola" after announcing a series of successful specialised surgical procedures performed at the institution.

Natembeya said a team of surgeons at the hospital had successfully performed two complex spinal procedures on young patients who sustained injuries in separate road traffic accidents, alongside a knee replacement operation on an elderly woman who had been living with osteoarthritis.

The latest procedures highlight the hospital's growing capacity to provide specialised orthopaedic and spinal treatment, potentially reducing the need for patients from the region to travel elsewhere in search of advanced medical care.

Natembeya Announces Successful Spinal Operations

In a statement, the governor revealed that surgeons had performed a Posterior Instrumented Fusion on a 21-year-old man who sustained a traumatic spinal injury following a road traffic accident.

The procedure involves using specialised screws and rods to stabilise injured sections of the spine and support the healing process.

The medical team also performed Cervical Lateral Mass Screw Fixation on an 18-year-old woman who suffered a cervical spine injury in a similar accident.

The procedure involves inserting screws into specific parts of the cervical vertebrae to stabilise the neck following an injury.

Natembeya further disclosed that the same surgical team had successfully conducted a Cemented Total Knee Arthroplasty on Wednesday on a 71-year-old woman who had been living with osteoarthritis for approximately three years.

The operation involves replacing damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial components secured using bone cement to relieve pain and improve joint function.

Natembeya Hits Back at 'Shakahola' Critics

Beyond the medical achievements, Natembeya used the announcement to take aim at individuals who have continued referring to Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital as "Shakahola".

The governor dismissed the criticism as being driven by sinister intentions, insisting that his administration remains focused on improving healthcare services and creating a safe environment for patients.

"While some people with sinister intentions continue to refer to this facility as 'Shakahola', we remain firmly committed, together with our qualified doctors and medical teams, to providing quality treatment and creating a life-saving environment for our patients," Natembeya stated.

His remarks place the hospital's latest medical achievements at the centre of an ongoing public debate over the facility's reputation.

However, the governor maintained that his administration would not be distracted from its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Trans Nzoia County.

Governor Outlines Commitment to Specialised Healthcare

Natembeya said the successful procedures reaffirm his administration's resolve to bring specialised medical services closer to residents.

He added that patients seeking treatment at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital should receive the best possible care from qualified medical professionals.

The latest operations represent an important development for the facility, particularly in expanding access to specialised spinal and orthopaedic treatment.

For patients requiring complex surgical interventions, the availability of such services closer to home could help reduce the burden of travelling to distant referral hospitals.

Natembeya's announcement also provides a platform for his administration to showcase investments and progress in the county's healthcare sector as the hospital continues to face public scrutiny over its reputation.