Nakuru Hospital builds Sh32m radiotherapy bunker to boost cancer care

Esther Mwangi and Mary Ochieng- KNA

The Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital (NCTRH) is completing the construction of a Sh32 million radiotherapy bunker aimed at improving access to cancer treatment in the South and Central Rift regions.

The County Director for Medical Services, Dr. Daniel Wainaina, said the facility is 65 per cent complete and is scheduled to be operational in two months.

He added that it will supplement the already operational specialised bunker that was commissioned in 2024 thereby expanding radiotherapy services.

“This new bunker will increase access to radiotherapy services for patients in Nakuru and 21 neighbouring counties, thus reducing the need to travel long distances for treatment,” he said during an inspection tour with the hospital board led by Chairman Bishop Philip Nderitu.

The new radiotherapy bunker will house a linear accelerator (LINAC) machine and other high-tech equipment for diagnosis and cancer treatment, similar to the existing unit commissioned in 2024.

“The national government, through MOH, has already delivered the second LINAC machine, which is now awaiting final accessories, installation into the new bunker, and commissioning,” Dr. Wainaina confirmed.

He explained that it was delivered as part of the government’s strategic plan to move into high-precision cancer treatment and to decrease outbound medical tourism, while increasing inbound medical tourism.

The director noted that the first LINAC machine attends to over 50 patients daily and with the commissioning of the second machine, the number of patients is expected to double, reducing waiting times and improving overall patient outcomes. 

“These two LINAC machines are designed to treat a wide range of cancers and will greatly improve the quality of care we offer,” he added.

“We are confident that this expansion will reduce the number of patients forced to travel abroad for treatment,” he said.

Dr.Wainaina explained that the new equipment delivers high-energy X-rays through linear accelerators, allowing cancerous cells to be destroyed much faster than with the previously used cobalt machines.

“When normal cells are burned along with the harmful ones, it leads to longer healing periods, nausea, and unnecessary weight loss,” he said. 

He added that due to its higher energy levels, the LINAC machine is better suited for treating deep-seated tumours. 

“It also uses electron beams, which allow us to target superficial tumours effectively without harming vital organs such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys,” Dr. Wainaina said.

The two LINAC equipment will enable better accuracy in targeting tumour by oncologists with the protection of the critical surrounding structures hence improving the treatment outcomes for patients and reducing side effects of radiotherapy treatment.

Most oncology units in public and private facilities across the country have traditionally relied on Cobalt-60 radiotherapy machines. These machines emit gamma rays from a radioactive cobalt source that decays over time, reducing treatment efficiency.

“As the cobalt weakens, doctors must extend the duration of radiotherapy sessions by 20 minutes to deliver the required dose, often leading to longer queues and delayed care,” Dr. Wainaina observed.

The new LINAC technique also employs Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) which cannot allow a radiologist to do any radiation before an image is taken to determine the patient’s progress to minimise errors. 

Besides cancer treatment, LINAC machines have other medical uses. Their radiation is said to reverse the rejection of an organ transplant, suppress the immune system of patients undergoing blood and marrow transplants, and correct certain neurological and cardiovascular disorders.

“Our capacity to fight cancer is set to improve further after the Ministry of Health pledged to deliver a third LINAC machine sourced from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he said.

The project is part of a broader initiative by the national government in collaboration with the devolved unit aimed at enhancing cancer care, including the establishment of regional cancer centres and the training of healthcare professionals in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine.

Cancer is Kenya’s third leading cause of death with 44,000 new cases and 28,500 deaths reported annually, figures projected to double by 2040.