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X-WR-CALNAME:KESHO
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://kesho-kenya.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for KESHO
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TZID:Africa/Nairobi
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260528T190000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260528T203000
DTSTAMP:20260529T182745Z
CREATED:20260525T190142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T182745Z
UID:41658-1779994800-1780000200@kesho-kenya.org
SUMMARY:The Brain Tumour Journey
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Dr. Michael Magoha; Dr. Sarah Muma; Dr. Parmenas Minda Okemwa\nModerator: Mr. David L. Oluoch-Olunya \nThe 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. \nDr. 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. \nDr. 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. \nThe 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. \nDr. 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. \nAcross 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. \nKey Takeaways\n\nBrain tumour care is a journey\, not a single event. Patients often require coordinated input across imaging\, surgery\, pathology\, oncology treatment\, rehabilitation and follow-up.\nPatient 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.\nChildren 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.\nMultidisciplinary clinics can shorten delays. Same-day or coordinated review by several specialists can improve treatment planning and reduce the burden on families.\nAccurate diagnosis depends on integrated pathology. Histology remains central\, but immunohistochemistry and molecular testing increasingly guide classification\, prognosis and treatment options.\nKenya’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.
URL:https://kesho-kenya.org/event/advancing-care-through-multidisciplinary-collaboration/
CATEGORIES:CME 2026,Continuing Medical Education (CME)
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260611T190000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260611T203000
DTSTAMP:20260629T093247Z
CREATED:20260609T080719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T093247Z
UID:41725-1781204400-1781209800@kesho-kenya.org
SUMMARY:Strengthening Haemato-Oncology Care
DESCRIPTION:STRENGTHENING HAEMATO-ONCOLOGY CARE THROUGH PALLIATIVE CARE AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE \n\nModerator: Prof. John Weru\nSpeaker: Prof. Sayed Karar\nDate: 11 June 2026\n\nThis session examined palliative care as a critical component of quality and comprehensive haemato-oncology care. The discussion challenged the misconception that palliative care belongs only at the end of life and instead presented it as an added layer of support that can be introduced early\, alongside active treatment. \nA central theme was the distinction between palliative care and hospice. Prof. Sayed Karar emphasized that palliative care can support patients and families at any stage of serious illness\, including during chemotherapy\, radiotherapy or other disease directed treatment. Hospice care\, by contrast\, is generally associated with advanced disease when curative options are no longer appropriate. The discussion framed palliative care as a holistic service that addresses pain\, symptoms\, psychological distress\, spiritual concerns\, social needs and family burden. \nThe session also situated palliative care within the African and Kenyan context. Prof. Karar highlighted the large unmet need for palliative care across the continent\, the uneven availability of services\, limited access to opioids and the continued underuse of affordable medicines such as morphine. Local studies were used to show how research can change practice\, including ICU trigger models that help identify patients who should receive timely palliative care review. \nThrough case scenarios\, the discussion explored difficult conversations\, symptom control\, prognostication\, end of life feeding\, dialysis decisions\, family conflict and the role of faith and hope in care decisions. Practical tools such as the SPIKES framework were discussed as a way to support clear\, compassionate communication. The session also reinforced the importance of identifying the appropriate decision maker\, using plain language and allowing families time to process serious news. \nAcross the session\, a consistent message emerged: palliative care is not about withdrawing care. It is about strengthening care\, relieving suffering\, supporting decision making and helping patients and families navigate serious illness with dignity. \nKey Takeaways \n\nPalliative care should be introduced early and can run alongside active haemato-oncology treatment.\nHospice and palliative care are related but not the same; palliative care is appropriate at any stage of serious illness.\nPain control requires careful assessment\, stepwise treatment\, safe opioid use and attention to side effects such as constipation.\nDifficult conversations need preparation\, privacy\, clear language\, empathy and structured follow up.\nLocal palliative care research can influence practice\, including the use of triggers to identify patients who need timely review.\nEvery clinician should have basic palliative care skills\, especially in settings where specialist services are limited.
URL:https://kesho-kenya.org/event/strengthening-haemato-oncology-care/
CATEGORIES:CME 2026,Continuing Medical Education (CME)
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260618T190000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260618T203000
DTSTAMP:20260617T133652Z
CREATED:20260617T080505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260617T133652Z
UID:41730-1781809200-1781814600@kesho-kenya.org
SUMMARY:Nutrition into Oncology
DESCRIPTION:Integrating Nutrition into Oncology Practice \nFueling Better Outcomes \n📅 Date: 18th June 2026\n🕖 Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT\n🏅 CPD Accredited \nMODERATOR\nKennedy Okinda\nOncology Nutrition Specialist\, Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital \nSPEAKER\nNjoki Karanja\nOncology Nutrition Specialist\nNutrition in Cancer Care: From Treatment to Recovery \nSPEAKER\nDr. Andrew Odhiambo\nMedical Oncologist\, The Nairobi Hospital; Thematic Head & Program Director\, Medical Oncology\, UON\nThe Clinical Impact of Nutrition on Cancer Outcomes
URL:https://kesho-kenya.org/event/nutrition-into-oncology/
CATEGORIES:CME 2026,Continuing Medical Education (CME)
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260625T193000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Nairobi:20260625T203000
DTSTAMP:20260629T093106Z
CREATED:20260624T084816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T093106Z
UID:41736-1782415800-1782419400@kesho-kenya.org
SUMMARY:Sickle Cell Disease
DESCRIPTION:SICKLE CELL DISEASE: FROM NEWBORN DETECTION TO LONG-TERM OUTCOMES \n\nModerator: Dr. Fatmah Abdallah\nSpeakers: Dr. Bernard Awuonda and Dr. Sophie Uyoga\n\nThis session examined sickle cell disease through the full patient pathway\, from newborn detection and early diagnosis to long-term care\, survival and health-system readiness. \nDr. Bernard Awuonda opened the session by situating sickle cell disease as an inherited haemoglobin disorder and emphasising the importance of public education in reducing stigma. The discussion highlighted that sickle cell disease is not contagious and that clear communication with families and communities is essential for improving understanding\, genetic counselling and health-seeking behaviour. \nA major focus of the session was the burden of sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya. Dr. Awuonda noted that without timely intervention\, many children born with sickle cell disease in high-burden settings die before the age of five. This framed the case for newborn screening as a life-saving public health intervention\, rather than a specialist service alone. \nThe discussion explored screening modalities\, including point-of-care testing and laboratory-based approaches\, and highlighted the importance of linking screening to action. Early detection only improves outcomes when it is followed by caregiver education\, prophylactic care\, vaccination\, access to hydroxyurea where appropriate\, routine monitoring and clear referral pathways. \nDr. Sophie Uyoga shared experience from Kilifi\, where structured sickle cell care has combined clinical service delivery\, research\, patient follow-up and community engagement. The session highlighted how early testing\, routine monitoring\, access to hydroxyurea and caregiver education can improve survival and health-seeking behaviour. \nThe discussion also addressed the realities of long-term care\, including transition from paediatric to adult services\, psychosocial support\, affordability\, access to diagnostics\, transfusion planning and the importance of maintaining patients in care. The speakers emphasised that sickle cell disease should not be viewed as a death sentence. With early diagnosis\, structured follow-up and supportive systems\, patients can live fuller and longer lives. \nThe session reinforced the need to operationalise infant screening policy\, strengthen financing\, improve point-of-care capacity\, support data systems and build care pathways that connect newborn screening to lifelong care. \nKey Takeaways \n\nNewborn screening is critical for early identification and timely intervention in sickle cell disease.\nScreening must be linked to care\, including caregiver education\, prophylaxis\, vaccination\, routine monitoring and referral pathways.\nSickle cell disease is inherited and not contagious; community education remains important for reducing stigma.\nHydroxyurea\, routine monitoring and structured clinical follow-up can reduce complications and improve outcomes.\nTransition from paediatric to adult care requires stronger planning\, psychosocial support and retention strategies.\nPolicy\, financing\, data systems and point-of-care testing are essential for scaling sickle cell care across Kenya.
URL:https://kesho-kenya.org/event/sickle-cell-disease-4/
CATEGORIES:CME 2026,Continuing Medical Education (CME)
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