By Nakanda Iyadim and Asari Iso
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State Government, in partnership with Helen Keller International with support from The END Fund, has finalised arrangements to conduct a six-day intensive round of free hydrocele surgeries on 130 patients in Obubra and Ogoja.
The initiative is part of a sustained effort to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and reduce the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across the State.
The intervention exercise is scheduled to run from Saturday, April 11, to Thursday, April 16, 2026, at General Hospital Obubra and General Hospital Ogoja simultaneously, with specialised surgical teams deployed to both centres to ensure seamless service delivery.
This was disclosed by the Acting State NTD Coordinator, Dr Omeji Godwin, during a Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) planning meeting held at the State NTD office in Calabar on Tuesday.
Dr Omeji who highlighted the State’s significant progress in the fight against lymphatic Filariasis, noted that 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) previously classified as endemic have successfully completed at least five rounds of Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM), adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
“All 10 LGAs have passed the Pre-Transmission Assessment Survey (Pre-TAS) and Transmission Assessment Survey 1 (TAS 1), with results showing microfilaria prevalence has dropped below one per cent,” Dr Omeji stated.
“Consequently, mass drug administration has ceased in these areas, and we have transitioned to disease surveillance, morbidity management, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions,” he added.
On his part, Team Lead for Helen Keller International, Mr Unyime Ekpoudia, confirmed that the 130-patient target is backed by funding from the END Fund.
He added that the exercise will involve a collaborative effort between surgeons and medical specialists and the State Ministry of Health’s NTD unit as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health.
Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Stephen Agbor, reaffirmed the State’s commitment to health equity, noting that the upcoming exercise builds on the success of 2025, when over 200 free hydrocelectomies were performed.
He expressed optimism that these surgeries will not only provide immediate relief to patients but also solidify the state’s transition toward long-term disability management and total elimination of the disease.
The END Fund is a global philanthropic community dedicated to ending six neglected tropical diseases—intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness, trachoma, and visceral leishmaniasis—which currently affect 1.49 billion people worldwide.
