Fears has enveloped 11 local government areas of Rivers State following the high rate of transmission of Elephantiasis.
This was disclosed at the flag off of a 3-day free hydrocele surgeries organized by the public health department Neglected Tropical Diseases( NTDS), Rivers State Ministry of health in partnership with Christoffel Blind Mission (CBM) in Port Harcourt.
According to an expert, Elephantiasis popularly known as “Big leg,” is caused by lymphatic filariasis worms carried by mosquitoes.
It was also revealed that the World Health Organization (WHO) has set 2030 to eliminate Elephantiasis infection globally.
The affected local government areas, according to the information,include Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, and Degema.
The rest are Akuku Toru,Asari Toru, Ikwerre, Etche, and Ogu Bolo local government areas.
Also affected are Okrika, Ahoada East, and Bonny Local Government Areas.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has disclosed its readiness to ensure the success of the free hydrocele surgeries.
Director Medical Services, Rivers state Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu said this while flagging off the program in Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu who oversees the office of the permanent secretary of the ministry said his office has also approved a reasonable sum of money to the director public health with the view to ensuring the inclusion of more beneficiaries in the Programm.
He commended Christoffel Blind Mission CBM for coming to the state to give succour and life to the people.
Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Kumbur of Christophel Blind Mission CBM said the group is committed to the Eradication of anything that will lead to Disabilities.
Kumbur also said that in the coming weeks, the group will embark on door to door campaign with the view to distributing drugs in the eleven local government areas currently being infected by Elephantiasis in the state.
According to him, the campaign was in line with the World Health Organization WHO desires to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDS by 2030 and urged the Rivers State Government to strengthen its commitment already given.
Also speaking, Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospital Management Board Dr Bright Ogbonda commended the organization for partnering with the board to embark on the program.
Ogbonda said the program was also in line with the activities of The Rivers state Ministry Health aimed guaranteeing quality health care service delivery to the people of Rivers state.
He said the board will ensure the success of the three day surgery.
