Kenya
It was in Kijabe, Kenya, where his commitment to helping children started for Dr. Benjamin Warf. There, in the late 1990s, he not only encountered a significant number of children with untreated hydrocephalus but often the children who had been treated with shunts suffered high complication rates. It was also in Kenya that Dr. Warf first met Dr. Pierre Mertens. A few years later, Dr. Mertens gave Dr. Warf a flexible endoscope, which, ultimately, led to the first combined ETV and CPC, the “Warf procedure.”
Today, pediatric health care in Kenya remains a challenge and hydrocephalus is still a concern for children and families. Access to specialized medical care remains limited, especially in rural regions where healthcare infrastructure is rudimentary. Furthermore, families grappling with the impact of hydrocephalus often face emotional and financial burdens as they navigate the complexities of securing treatment for their children.
In response to these pressing needs, NeuroKids has partnered to provide vital care and support to children with hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions.
Through strategic relationships with neurosurgeons at two hospitals, the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa and Kijabe Hospital in Kijabe, NeuroKids has provided specialized surgical training, mentorship, and ongoing support to empower Kenyan neurosurgeons to deliver life-changing interventions.
Number of children who have received hydrocephalus surgeries since NeuroKids intervention:
232 Children
Since September 2023
Demographic Statistics
59,797,097
Total Population*
24,428,416
Total Pediatric Population*
0.9 – 1.4
Estimated Incidence of Hydrocephalus (per 1,000 births)
Partner Hospitals
M O M B A S S A
Kijabe Hospital
K I J A B E
Kenyan Team
Dr. Ben Okanga
CONSULTANT NEUROSURGEON, COAST GENERAL TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, MOMBASA, KENYA
Dr. Benjamin Okanga is a neurosurgeon with more than ten years of experience in treating children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Dr. Okanga received a Master of Medicine in General Surgery in 2011 from the University of Nairobi and completed his fellowship training in Neurosurgery from COSECSA in 2015. For the past seven years, he has served as a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mombasa, Kenya.
Dr. Okanga is a member of the Surgical Society of Kenya, the Neurological Society of Kenya, the East African Neurosurgical Society, the Spine Surgeons of Kenya Association, AO Spine International, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).
Dr. Okanga’s areas of expertise include Paediatric Neurosurgery, Neuroendoscopy, and Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery. He is especially passionate about treating children.
Maria Omolo
CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Maria Omolo has more than a year experience in serving children and families living with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Maria received a psychology degree from Chuka University. For the past year and a half, Maria served as the Coordinator at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.
Neurokids has been of great help to the SBH community, being part of the team has shown her the immense work that goes on to help the kids improve their quality of life and how much we touch their lives by just being present in their lives. Touching lives and serving others are two of her best values and these are completely fulfilled by both Neurokids and the SBH community.
Will Copeland
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, NEUROSURGERY
AIC KIJABE HOSPITAL
Dr. Will Copeland, his wife, and their seven children have lived in Kenya since 2016. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas Will obtained his medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and subsequently completed neurosurgical residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He currently serves at AIC Kijabe Hospital where his roles include Program Director of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons neurosurgical residency training under the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa.
“If the ancient Gospel story teaches that our neighbor is any person we have the capacity to help, then these are challenging times indeed for anyone aspiring to that ethic in our increasingly connected world.” These words written by Dr. Warf resonate with Dr. Copeland as he seeks to provide neurosurgical care and train neurosurgeons in Sub-Saharan Africa. NeuroKids is helping our neighbors worldwide and Will considers it a great privilege to serve as a neurosurgeon mentor with them in the care of children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
Anne Kagotho
CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Anne Kagotho is our clinical coordinator at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. She is a community Health Nurse and also has a diploma in counselling psychology. She has experience working as a Project Director with Compassion International Kenya and previously worked with children affected by hydrocephalus and spina bifida at Kijabe Hospital. To her, being a nurse is both a passion and a calling as she is very zealous about community-based initiatives that promote physical and psychological well being. Her duo expertise as a nurse and counselling psychologist allows her to provide holistic care and support children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer quality lives.
Stories and News From Kenya
We provide training curriculums, endoscopy equipment, and remote presence technology to hospitals and surgeons in places with the greatest needs.
Get Support
NeuroKids partners with local public and private children’s hospitals and individual surgeons to help build the skills and systems to better address hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
We train and support neurosurgeons in The Warf procedure using today’s technology to close the gap in surgical training and promote best practices in treatment and care. Through both in-person and remote technology, as well as equipment and supplies, we ensure practical training at scale, saving time and money.
Please reach out to learn how we can support your hospital with pediatric neurosurgical training and supplies, enabling your team to provide proven services and ensure children with hydrocephalus and spinal bifida receive the most effective care.
Donate
Donate now and join us in our mission to make it possible for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer and better lives. Together, we can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
