Cross River State Government, in collaboration with Helen Keller International, has commenced plans to conduct free hydrocelectomy surgeries for 100 persons living with hydrocele, a major manifestation of lymphatic filariasis.
The exercise, which is the third phase of the intervention, is targeted at men and boys aged 15 years and above, with 50 beneficiaries expected to undergo surgery at General Hospital Akamkpa and another 50 at General Hospital Obubra.
The State Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Control Programme, Godwin Omeji, disclosed this at a one-day morbidity management and disability prevention planning meeting for the exercise in Cross River.
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Omeji explained that hydrocele occurs when lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is left untreated, leading to abnormal swelling of the scrotum.
He said the state had completed its preventive chemotherapy interventions and was now focusing on managing complications arising from untreated cases as part of efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.
According to him, the surgery will take place from August 19 to 24 at the two designated general hospitals, with health workers already mobilising affected persons across communities to access the free treatment.
He said the intervention would be continuous, adding that beneficiaries who could not be accommodated during the current phase would be documented for subsequent surgeries.
Omeji identified inadequate funds for mobilising beneficiaries to treatment centres as one of the major challenges encountered during the first and second phases of the programme.
He noted that some affected persons were also reluctant to come forward because of stigma, while others could not afford transportation to the designated hospitals.
He therefore called for the activation of selected primary healthcare centres to provide hydrocele surgery, rather than limiting the service to secondary and tertiary health facilities.
He also appealed to the state government for increased budgetary support to enable the NTD programme to conduct regular community outreaches, identify more cases and monitor patients after surgery.
Cross River State Coordinator of Helen Keller International, Unyime Ekpoudia, said the organisation was supporting the state in its efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, particularly lymphatic filariasis.
Ekpoudia said the planning meeting was aimed at developing a clear implementation plan for the next phase of hydrocele surgeries, adding that the two selected hospitals would also serve patients referred from neighbouring local government areas.
She expressed optimism that the intervention would restore the dignity, confidence and livelihoods of affected persons who had suffered stigma and physical discomfort.
Ekpoudia explained that beneficiaries would remain under observation after surgery and return for follow-up between 10 and 14 days after discharge, two weeks later, and again after one month to ensure proper healing, removal of sutures and early detection of complications.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Jonah Bassey Offor, said hydrocele had significant physical, psychological, social and economic consequences for affected persons.
Offor, who described the free surgeries as more than a medical intervention, said the programme would help restore dignity, confidence and productive lives to beneficiaries.
He commended Helen Keller International and other development partners for supporting the state in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, while urging stakeholders to ensure proper identification and referral of eligible patients, adequate surgical teams, essential medical commodities, infection prevention, documentation, postoperative care and community mobilisation.
Also speaking, the NTD focal person for Akamkpa Local Government Area, Jude Ikon, said the planning exercise had exposed health workers to hidden cases of hydrocele in communities.
He said health workers had commenced mobilisation through community leaders and sensitization activities to encourage people living with the condition to come forward for the free surgery.
Ikon expressed optimism that the intervention would help protect affected residents from the debilitating effects of hydrocele and improve their quality of life.
The programme is part of broader efforts to achieve the World Health Organisation’s target of eliminating neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
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