Korede Abdullah 
CROSS RIVER, Nigeria – The Cross River State Government, in partnership with Helen Keller International, has announced plans to provide free hydrocelectomy surgeries for 100 men living with hydrocele, a debilitating complication of lymphatic filariasis.
The third phase of the intervention will take place between August 19 and 24, 2026, with 50 beneficiaries scheduled for treatment at General Hospital Akamkpa and another 50 at General Hospital Obubra.
Representing the Commissioner for Health during a planning meeting in Calabar on Monday, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor, described hydrocele as a condition with significant physical, psychological, social and economic consequences.
He said the programme would enable beneficiaries to regain their dignity, confidence and ability to live productive lives while urging stakeholders to ensure effective patient identification, referrals, surgical preparedness, infection prevention, documentation and postoperative care.
State Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Coordinator, Godwin Omeji, explained that hydrocele develops as a long-term complication of untreated lymphatic filariasis.
According to him, Cross River has completed preventive chemotherapy against the disease and is now focusing on managing existing complications.
Omeji noted that previous interventions were affected by stigma, transportation costs and inadequate funding, advocating expanded surgical services at selected primary healthcare centres and increased funding for outreach programmes.
Helen Keller International Coordinator, Unyime Ekpoudia, said the organisation remains committed to supporting the state’s efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in line with global targets.
She disclosed that the two designated hospitals would also receive referrals from neighbouring local government areas, while beneficiaries would undergo follow-up assessments between 10 and 14 days after surgery, two weeks later and again after one month.
The NTD Focal Person for Akamkpa, Jude Ikon, said community leaders had already begun awareness campaigns to identify hidden cases and encourage affected persons to seek treatment.
The programme also aims to document additional eligible patients for future surgical interventions as Cross River intensifies efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in line with the World Health Organisation’s 2030 target.
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