This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi has announced ambitious plans to establish a Children's Specialty Hospital and a Cancer Research Centre. The hospital aims to provide the most advanced care for children in the region and document treatment options for cancer patients.
Speaking at the launch of the hospital's 60th-anniversary celebrations, Firoz Rasul, President of Aga Khan University, emphasized the significance of these new initiatives. 'When we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are commemorating much more than the simple fact that the hospital has endured, notable though its longevity surely is. What we are celebrating above all is the difference that it makes – that all of us make, together', he said.
The Children's Specialty Hospital will be the only one of its kind in the region, while the Cancer Research Centre will be a major boost to efforts leading to effective and affordable treatment for cancer, which accounts for 1 in every 10 deaths in the country.
The hospital's 60th-anniversary celebrations, themed 'First from the Beginning', will last for four months and highlight the hospital's development journey since its establishment. From a modest secondary hospital, it has grown into an internationally accredited academic medical centre of national and regional importance.
Dr Shawn Bolouki, the hospital's Chief Executive Officer, added that a series of community engagement activities will be launched over the next few months to benefit members of the public who need them most. The celebrations will conclude with a gala night for stakeholders.
A photo exhibition of the hospital's history, milestones, and achievements has been set up at the Heart and Cancer Centre, showcasing developments over the years and how research and training have seen the hospital evolve into a pioneer in many respects.
