A’Ibom govt to give men with hydrocoele free surgery

Ini Friday, Uyo

A hundred men with hydrocoele (swollen scrotum) across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State have been targeted for free surgery.

The free surgery which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board, Helen Keller International and ENDFund has already begun operation in Etinan General Hospital for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district.

According to Dr Aniekeme Uwah, State Coordinator, NTDd Control and Elimination Programme, and National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the surgery is part of the Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) of the NTDs Control and Elimination Programme for Hydrocoeles.

Speaking through a press release on Friday in Uyo, Uwah stated that the free surgical mission would be conducted in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District at the General Hospital in Onna Local Government Area from August 22 to 28, 2023, and Akwa Ibom North West at the Ikono General Hospital from August 30 to September 4, 2023.

“At the end of the exercise, a total of 100 (One hundred) free surgeries would have been conducted, thus bringing the total to 313 (Three hundred and thirteen) since the exercise first started in 2021.

“The free surgery is one of the activities being implemented by the Ministry of Health as part of her Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) of the NTDs Control and Elimination Programme for Hydrocoeles, a complication of Lymphatic Filariasis which is endemic in the state.

“The exercise, which has created a huge impact on the NTDs Control and Elimination Programme is aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of persons, who have been adversely affected by the ailment and hitherto would not have had the resources to pay for the surgeries that cost as much as N500,000 per person in private health facilities,” he stated.

Uwah encouraged the citizens of the state to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the state government to improve their health and well-being.