25/09/2025
The Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Unit at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH) is an unsung beacon of hope in the fight against the huge burden of cancer and other ENT conditions in Meru. It plays a crucial role in early detection, timely treatment, and specialized surgical interventions, especially in cancers of the thyroid, larynx, pharynx, head, and neck regions, where early interventions can mean the difference between life and death.
An average of 900 patients who are drawn from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit, and Mandera counties are attended to monthly. Availability of specialized ENT care at MeTRH has significantly reduced the need for Meru residents to travel long distances in search of treatment, thereby improving access and survival rates.
A wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services are offered, including ENT consultations and screenings, treatment of infections, nasal irrigation and packing, ear syringing, removal of foreign bodies, as well as audiology services such as hearing loss diagnosis, management, and vestibular rehabilitation. The team also performs life changing surgeries such as adenotonsillectomy, thyroidectomy, tumor removal, and tracheostomy insertions, among other specialized procedures. By providing these services locally, MeTRH is ensuring timely interventions, reducing the financial burden on families, and improving patient outcomes.
The Unit operates from Monday to Friday, staffed by a dedicated team of medical professionals whose impact has been immense not only in delivering specialized care, but also in advancing the fight against cancer in alignment with H.E. Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia's health agenda.
