Abuja: No fewer than 3,343 men have received free surgical treatment for hydrocele, a disease that causes scrotal swelling, helping to improve their health, restore dignity and reduce stigma. This was disclosed by Joy Tarbo, Communications Associate at Sightsavers Nigeria, in a statement issued ahead of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, marked annually on January 30.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, about 110 million people in Nigeria remain at risk of lymphatic filariasis (LF), with an estimated 10 to 15 percent of affected individuals-mostly men-living with hydrocele. LF is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites, while hydrocele results in painful or massive swelling of the scrotum in men.
Joy Tarbo stated that Sightsavers, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has been supporting underserved communities that lack access to specialized medical care. The interventions included community-wide drug administration campaigns to halt the transmission of the disease, training health workers and patients in lymphedema management, capacity-building for surgeons on proper hydrocele surgery techniques, and the provision of free hydrocele surgeries.
Dr. Musa Abdullahi, Coordinator of the intervention, mentioned that the surgeries were conducted across selected states using standard medical procedures by trained specialists. Abdullahi explained that scrotal-swelling disease, often neglected due to stigma and lack of awareness, could severely affect the quality of life of sufferers if left untreated. He noted that beyond surgery, beneficiaries also received counseling, follow-up care, and health education to prevent complications and encourage early medical consultation.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries like Samaila Musa, a 55-year-old farmer, and Abdulrafiu Sani, a 65-year-old from Kaduna state, shared their experiences of living with the condition and the relief they found post-surgery. Musa expressed gratitude for the support he received, highlighting how Sightsavers’ intervention allowed him to reintegrate into community life. Sani, who suffered from bilateral hydrocele, described feeling reborn after the surgery.
Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission Abuja, emphasized the impact of NTDs like lymphatic filariasis on individuals’ health, dignity, and livelihoods. She acknowledged the UK’s partnership with Nigeria and organizations like Sightsavers in delivering life-changing care.
Prof. Joy Shuaibu, Country Director at Sightsavers, reiterated the importance of the fight against NTDs as a national and global priority. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to working closely with government institutions, international partners, and local communities to eliminate NTDs across the country. Shuaibu emphasized that by strengthening health systems and supporting safe surgical care, they aim to improve access to quality treatment for affected communities.