The Bethany Kids pediatric surgery program at Kijabe Hospital provides pediatric surgical care for patients ranging in age from the newborn period up through adolescence.

The scope of conditions treated is broad and includes tumors, congenital conditions such as anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung disease, intestinal atresias, hypospadias, bladder exstrophy, cleft lip/palate, chest and lung anomalies, and undescended testes in addition to a host of other surgical conditions affecting children. We offer minimally invasive surgical options for many intraabdominal and intrathoracic conditions as well as intestinal and urinary endoscopy.

The team is comprised of consultants Dr. Hansen and Dr. Muma, working in conjunction with pediatric surgical trainees from all over Africa through the PAACS program.

Kijabe Hospital offers a broad spectrum of General Surgical Services, including the following:

• Hernia repair
• Management of conditions of the thyroid gland
• Management of problems of the urinary tract, including stone disease and difficulty in urination.
• General abdominal surgery including emergency care
• Management of cancer of the skin, abdominal organs, genitourinary tract, and head and neck
• Leg circulation and leg wound management
• Management of breast conditions, including cancer
• Repair of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and other vascular conditions
• Multidisciplinary management of complex trauma

Kijabe surgeons are available on-site 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to evaluate and treat acute conditions, including trauma, abscess, abdominal pain and other emergency conditions.  The General Surgery Service performs approximately 2,500 surgeries per year, about a quarter of the hospital’s 10,000 operations per year.

Department head is Dr. Bird, Kijabe veteran of 17 years, and includes consultants Dr. Davis, Dr. Barasa, Dr. Berg, and multiple general surgery residents.

AIC Kijabe Hospital operates one of the busiest orthopedic services in East Africa.  With patients referred from all over Kenya and many surrounding countries, Kijabe has become a major referral center for orthopedic problems. Patients seek care for severe injuries, birth defects, advanced arthritis, spine disorders, infections, and tumors.  The department includes three certified orthopedic consultants, orthopedic registrars, as well as specialized clinical officers and orthopedic nurses.  Several large clinics are held weekly to care for the patients.  Staffing is expanded through the regular rotation of visiting missionary surgeons from all over the globe.  The orthopedic department seeks to provide “Health Care to God’s Glory” while discipling the next generation of leaders in the field.

Department head is Dr. Muchiri, long-time Kijabe Orthopedic specialist.

The Bethany Kids pediatric neurosurgery service at Kijabe Hospital is the only pediatric neurosurgical center in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.  Treatable disorders include hydrocephalus, spina bifida, brain tumors, head injuries, spasticity and movement disorders, encephaloceles, tethered spinal cords and spinal cord injuries.

ENT offers treatment for problems due to birth defects, accident/injury, and cancers.  Common surgeries include foreign body removal, tonsillectomy, septoplasty.  Dr. Nolen, head of ENT department, completed a fellowship in facial-plastic surgery and serves at Kijabe as part of the Samaritan’s Purse post-residency program.

The plastic and reconstructive surgery department is led by Dr. Nthumba, who has served at Kijabe for 20 years.  Treatments include burn care and repair of scarring due to injury.

Special ophthalmology services offered at AIC Kijabe Hospital include:

• Screening of all eye problems
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Refraction services
• Provision of Spectacles
• Eye surgery including: Cataract surgery, Trachoma surgery, Corneal repair, Conjunctiva mass excision, AC washout, and all other anterior segment surgeries.
• Children are screened for congenital cataract, Retinoblastoma, Strabismus/squints, amongst other eye conditions.