No fewer than 3,343 men have received free surgical treatment for hydrocele, a disease that causes scrotal swelling, improving their health, restoring dignity and reducing stigma.
This was disclosed by Joy Tarbo, Communications Associate at Sightsavers Nigeria, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja ahead of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, observed annually on Jan. 30.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 110 million people in Nigeria remain at risk of lymphatic filariasis (LF), with an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of affected individuals—mostly men—living with hydrocele.
Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites, while hydrocele is a painful or massive swelling of the scrotum in men.
Tarbo said Sightsavers, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and with funding support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has been supporting underserved communities with limited access to specialized medical care.
She explained that the interventions include community-wide drug administration to stop disease transmission, training of health workers and patients on lymphoedema management, capacity building for surgeons on proper hydrocele surgery techniques, and the provision of free hydrocele surgeries.
“Since the programme began in 2024, 96 surgeons have been trained and 3,343 men have received life-changing surgery. The programme has also trained 1,737 patients and caregivers on lymphoedema management,” she said.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Coordinator of the intervention, said the surgeries were conducted across selected states using standard medical procedures by trained specialists.
Abdullahi noted that hydrocele is often neglected due to stigma and lack of awareness, adding that the condition can significantly affect the quality of life of sufferers if left untreated.
“Many beneficiaries lived with this condition for years because they could not afford surgery or did not know where to seek help. This programme is about restoring health, confidence and productivity,” he said.
He added that beneficiaries also received counseling, follow-up care and health education to prevent complications and encourage early medical consultation.
One of the beneficiaries, Samaila Musa, a 55-year-old farmer, said he lived with hydrocele for more than 20 years, which forced him to avoid public gatherings and withdraw from community life.
Musa said he once sought help from an unqualified local practitioner, whose attempt at surgery caused serious complications.
“I didn’t care about the risks anymore; I just wanted it out of my life. Sightsavers gave me hope and freedom. Now I can live like everyone else again,” he said.
Similarly, Abdulrafiu Sani, a 65-year-old resident of Kaduna State, said he lived with bilateral hydrocele for years, causing embarrassment and strain in his marriage.
“After the surgery, I feel reborn. Sightsavers gave me back my life,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Bem Bajah, a 65-year-old retired lecturer from Benue, said the condition caused him persistent pain and discomfort before the surgery.
Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, said neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis deprive people of health, dignity and livelihoods, despite being preventable and treatable.
She said the UK, through partnerships with the Nigerian government and organizations like Sightsavers, was supporting efforts to deliver life-changing care to affected communities.
On her part, Prof. Joy Shuaibu, Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, said the testimonies highlighted why the fight against NTDs must remain a national and global priority.
“These diseases do not only cause physical suffering; they strip people of dignity, livelihoods and opportunities. Through strong partnerships, we are restoring health, rebuilding confidence and helping people live productive lives,” she said.
Shuaibu reaffirmed Sightsavers’ commitment to working with government institutions, international partners and local communities to eliminate neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria.
She added that by strengthening health systems and integrating NTD interventions into broader health programmes, preventable and treatable diseases would no longer trap people in poverty and social exclusion.
