Moi University’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit on March 30, 2023 entered into history books.
This is after it performed its first Intra-Uterine Fetal Transfusion in Eldoret.
The procedure was a first of its kind to be done in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Aga Khan University is the only other institution to successfully conduct such a transfusion.
According to an update on Moi University’s official social media pages, the procedure was done to a patient who was rhesus allo-immunized with fetal anemia leading to hydrops, that was diagnosed ultrasonographical by measurement of Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) – Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV).
“The fetus was transfused with irradiated leucocyte depleted “O” Negative blood, ” noted the update from the Kesses-based University.
The medical team involved in the historical procedure included Prof Nan Okun, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist from University of Toronto, Dr Pallavi Mishra (Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist – Mediheal Group of Hospital ), as well as Dr Bett Kipchumba a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at the Moi Teaching and Refferal Hospital (MTRH ).
Others were Dr Kosgei Wycliffe (Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist – MTRH), Dr Rosa Chemwey (Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow – Moi University), and Dr David Ndingori (Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow – Moi University).
Dr Paul Nyongesa an Obstetrician Gynaecologist from Moi University) and two nurses only identified as Faith and Dorothy were also part of the medical team.
An Intra-uterine Fetal Transfusion is a procedure that provides blood to an Rh-positive fetus when fetal red blood cells are being destroyed by the Rh-sensitized mother’s immune system.
According to medical experts, this treatment is meant to keep the fetus healthy until the baby is mature enough to be delivered.
