“The Lord brought me here,” says Dr. Brandon, a Paediatric Cardiologist from North Carolina University (NCU) - USA, reflecting on his return to the Hospital—this time, with his family by his side.
His journey with us began in 2018 when a professor at the university (NCU) connected him with Dr. Arianna, one of our paediatric consultants and the Director of Education & Research. She had studied at the same institution, and that introduction led to his first visit to Kenya. Now, years later, he’s back—serving not just in the hospital, but out in the community as well.
Yesterday, Dr. Brandon joined our Cardiology and Paediatric teams for a rheumatic heart disease (RHD) screening outreach at Kijabe Boys High School, located just next door to our Main Hospital. In a single day, over 450 students were screened—an impressive effort to detect early signs of heart disease in this high-risk population.
He describes RHD as a complex condition—triggered by untreated streptococcal throat infections, an overactive immune response, and environmental factors.
“Rheumatic heart disease is one of those conditions that can progress silently. In countries like Kenya, where 2–5% of children may be affected, the stakes are high. It can develop after repeated or untreated sore throats caused by a specific type of bacteria. If not treated, the infection can trigger a reaction in the body that damages the heart—especially the valves,” Dr. Brandon explains.
“Screening is our chance to catch it early, treat it, and prevent serious complications later in life that are severe and more expensive to treat. Annual screening is recommended,” he adds.
As a follow-up step, our Cardiology team led by Dr George is planning further reviews including full echocardiograms for some students for a treatment plan. This early screening and treatment is a more affordable and effective way to halt disease progression.
The outreach wasn’t just about testing. Before screening, students received health talks from our clinical team—learning how the heart works, the dangers of untreated infections, and the importance of early care.
“We’re really thankful,” one Form 4 student shared. “Some of us got peace of mind, and others can now get the help they didn’t even know they needed.”
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Brandon for contributing to our #110YearsLegacy! A powerful reminder that global connections can create local impact. Sometimes, healing begins not in a hospital ward—but in a school hall, with a simple test and a willing heart.
Our appreciation too to the school team led by the principal, Mr. Karanja, for their openness to embrace screening as an important building block to great health.
Do you need your teenager, especially those aged between 12 - 20 years screened? Visit our Main Hospital or contact 0709728200 for more information. Annual screening is recommended.
