Revolutionizing Cancer and Cardiac Care: RFH introduces advanced PET-CT and SPECT-CT scanners

These cutting-edge machines, now operational at RFH, represent a major stride forward in patient care by eliminating the need for overseas medical travel and significantly reducing waiting times for scans.

Cutting-Edge Technology at RFH

Andre Lourens, a Molecular Imaging Application Specialist from GE Healthcare Africa, is in Kenya to oversee the setup of these advanced imaging systems and to train specialized staff. Lourens emphasized the versatility and impact of these machines:

“The PET-CT and SPECT-CT scanners are critical tools not only for cancer diagnosis and treatment but also for cardiac and brain imaging. Each machine can efficiently serve 10 to 15 patients daily, ensuring timely and accurate diagnostics for more patients.”

Enhanced Patient Access and Care

Maxwell Songa, a Nuclear Medical Physicist at RFH, highlighted the transformative potential of these systems:

“Patients who previously had to travel abroad for PET-CT or SPECT-CT scans can now access these services locally. With this technology, waiting times have been reduced to just one week, enabling precise diagnosis, staging, restaging, and monitoring of diseases.”

Songa also noted that RFH is the first facility in Kenya and East Africa to offer targeted therapy for prostate cancer patients using this advanced technology. This provides an alternative to traditional treatments, such as the linear accelerator approach, further advancing oncology care in the region.

Demonstrating Precision in Practice

Isaac Munyao, a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at RFH, showcased the efficiency of the PET-CT scanner:

“A single scan takes approximately 25 to 27 minutes, ensuring both efficiency and comfort for patients. Each image captured delivers critical insights into the patient’s condition, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.”

Leadership Perspective

Dr. Maxwell Okoth, Group Managing Director at RFH, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing healthcare standards:

“RFH is dedicated to setting new benchmarks in medical technology and patient care. These investments demonstrate our vision of providing world-class services locally, ensuring that Kenyans and East Africans no longer need to leave the region for critical diagnostics and treatments.”

Transforming Healthcare in East Africa

The introduction of these advanced imaging systems underscores RFH’s pioneering role in improving healthcare accessibility and quality in the region. By offering these services, RFH is bridging gaps in healthcare delivery and empowering patients with faster and more precise diagnostic and treatment options.

As the first facility in East Africa to embrace such innovation, RFH is redefining the future of cancer and cardiac care in the region. With the guidance of Andre Lourens, who conducted specialized training for staff, RFH Healthcare is poised to lead the charge in molecular imaging and targeted therapies, ensuring better health outcomes for the community.