Press Release

Commissioning of Bhabhatron II in Nairobi by President Uhuru Kenyatta

          H. E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya presided over the commissioning ceremony of the Bhabhatron II machine at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi on 24 August 2017. Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for Health Dr. Cleopa Mailu and the top leadership of the Kenyan Health Ministry was present at the Commissioning Ceremony.

          During his visit to Kenya in July 2016, Prime Minister Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi announced gifting of a state-of-the-art Made in India cancer therapy machine – Bhabhatron II and digital radiotherapy simulator –Imagin-to the people of Kenya. The Bhabhatron-II designed by the Indian Department of Atomic Energy and manufactured by M/s Panacea, Bengaluru was installed last month at the cancer centre of the apex public hospital in Kenya, Kenyatta National Hospital.  Treatment by the Bhabhatron has already started. 

          With the gift of Bhabhatron (Rs. 7.5 Crore equivalent to Ksh 125 million), all the three announcements made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit (gifting of US$1 million for the refurbishment of the Gandhi Memorial Library at the University of Nairobi; holding first-ever Festival of India in Kenya and the gifting of Cancer Therapy Machine – Bhabhatron) have been fulfilled. 

          President Kenyatta thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government and the People of India for the advanced machine for the cancer treatment.  He added that with the installation of the machine, the treatment of cancer patients on a daily basis will go up from 120 to 190 and the waiting time for patients will also be reduced from three months to one month. 

          In her remarks, High Commissioner Ms. Suchitra Durai stated that bilateral health cooperation is a priority for the Government of India.  She elaborated on the ongoing health cooperation including training, exchanges of visits as well as capacity building in oncology and other special areas. The Lines of Credit Agreements for various projects including the Agricultural Mechanization, revival of Rivatex and development of SMEs sector are at various stages of implementation. 

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(Nairobi – 24 August 2017)