KESHO

The Brain Tumour Journey
2026-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 (Africa/Nairobi)
Speakers: Dr. Michael Magoha; Dr. Sarah Muma; Dr. Parmenas Minda Okemwa
Moderator: Mr. David L. Oluoch-Olunya
The Brain Tumour Journey brought together neurosurgery, paediatric haemato-oncology and neuropathology perspectives to examine how multidisciplinary collaboration can improve care for patients with brain tumours. The session positioned brain tumour management as a continuum, from first symptoms and referral to surgery, pathology, oncology treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up and family support.
Dr. Michael Magoha opened the session by reframing the brain tumour journey around the patient experience. He noted that brain tumours often carry fear and uncertainty, yet they are not a single diagnosis or a uniform prognosis. With more than 150 tumour types and subtypes, the patient’s pathway can vary widely. His presentation highlighted the role of patient navigation in helping individuals move through imaging, surgery, pathology, endocrine review, oncology care and long-term follow-up without being lost in fragmented systems.
Dr. Sarah Muma focused on the multidisciplinary management of childhood brain tumours in Kenya. She highlighted that brain and CNS tumours appear under-recognised in local and African childhood cancer data, suggesting delays in diagnosis and referral. Children may present with persistent headaches, vomiting, visual changes, seizures, gait or coordination problems, abnormal head growth, behavioral changes or endocrine-related symptoms. The discussion emphasized the need for a higher index of suspicion, especially when symptoms are progressive, recurrent or not responding as expected.
The session also examined Kenyan system-level challenges, including limited access to timely imaging, prolonged pathways between surgery and radiotherapy, scarcity of formal paediatric neuro-oncology programs and treatment abandonment. Dr. Muma described the value of neuro-oncology multidisciplinary clinics, where patients and families can receive coordinated input from neurosurgery, oncology, radiology, pathology, rehabilitation, counselling and navigation teams within a more structured care pathway.
Dr. Parmenas Minda Okemwa closed the presentations by discussing the principles and diagnostic challenges of brain tumour pathology. He emphasized that pathology remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but modern brain tumour care increasingly depends on integrated reporting that combines clinical context, radiology, histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular testing. His presentation underscored the need for adequate tissue sampling, stronger neuropathology capacity, expanded diagnostic panels, molecular testing access and regular multidisciplinary tumour board discussions.
Across the session, the message was clear: improving brain tumour outcomes requires coordinated systems, not isolated excellence. Timely diagnosis, accurate pathology, surgical expertise, oncology planning, patient navigation, rehabilitation and survivorship support must work together if patients are to receive care that is clinically sound, humane and sustainable.
Key Takeaways

Brain tumour care is a journey, not a single event. Patients often require coordinated input across imaging, surgery, pathology, oncology treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up.
Patient navigation can reduce fragmentation. Navigators help patients and families move through complex health systems and reduce the risk of missed appointments, delayed reviews or incomplete follow-up.
Children may present with subtle or progressive symptoms. Persistent headaches, seizures, visual changes, gait problems, behavioural changes or endocrine symptoms should prompt a high index of suspicion.
Multidisciplinary clinics can shorten delays. Same-day or coordinated review by several specialists can improve treatment planning and reduce the burden on families.
Accurate diagnosis depends on integrated pathology. Histology remains central, but immunohistochemistry and molecular testing increasingly guide classification, prognosis and treatment options.
Kenya’s neuro-oncology systems are advancing but need strengthening. Referral pathways, registries, specialist training, diagnostic capacity, molecular testing access and survivorship systems remain key priorities.

Strengthening Haemato-Oncology Care
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:30
Date: 11th June 2026 Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
CPD Accredited
Moderator Prof. John Weru Pain and palliative medicine specialist, palliative care section head. Chief Medical officer and Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs at AUHN.
Dr. Eve Namisango Executive Director, The African Palliative Care Association Palliative Care Research in Africa for Haemato-Oncology
Prof. Sayed Karar Professor, Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University; Acting Chief Medical Information Officer Introduction to Palliative Care

Nutrition into Oncology
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30
Integrating Nutrition into Oncology Practice
Fueling Better Outcomes
📅 Date: 18th June 2026
🕖 Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
🏅 CPD Accredited
MODERATOR
Kennedy Okinda
Oncology Nutrition Specialist, Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital
SPEAKER
Njoki Karanja
Oncology Nutrition Specialist
Nutrition in Cancer Care: From Treatment to Recovery
SPEAKER
Dr. Andrew Odhiambo
Medical Oncologist, The Nairobi Hospital; Thematic Head & Program Director, Medical Oncology, UON
The Clinical Impact of Nutrition on Cancer Outcomes
