The Olam Food Ingredient (Ofi), in partnership with the Neglected Tropical Disease Department, of the Kwara Ministry of Health Saturday treat 5 indigent patients with Hydrocele on free surgical interventions.
According to Kwara State Coordinator, for Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), Mrs Christiana Bamigboye said that Hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac around a testicle, often first noticed as swelling of the scrotum.
Speaking on the surgical interventions, she explained that the free surgery is for 5 people with Hydrocele swollen scrotum from different LG’s.
She further explained that the disease is caused by Filariasis, which is endemic in the same part of Kwara rural communities.
She described Filariasis as a” tropical, parasitic disease that affects the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
“Lymphatic filariasis is spread by infected mosquitoes. Their bites deposit a parasite that travels to the lymph system,” she said.
She noted that Olam Food Ingredient partnered with the state government to offer succour to the indigent suffering from the disease.
Also speaking, Mr Babatunde Lawal, a representative of OFI office, explained that the Agro company has been at the forefront of health intervention for Agrarian communities in the state.
According to him, the company value the importance of farmers to the development of Kwara and the nation as a whole.
He added that health and well-being become very important and that was the reason that the company has been carrying out a series of health interventions across communities.
Also speaking, Dr Stephen Arigidi, the Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training of the Kwara Ministry of Health explained that if a communicating hydrocele does not go away on its own and is not treated, it can lead to an inguinal hernia.
Arigidi explained that in this condition, part of the intestine or intestinal fat pushes through an opening (inguinal canal) in the groin area.
He however noted that the disease can be operated on and people can recover well and quickly.
The expert pointed out that these kinds of diseases are endemic to riverside communities and transmitted by mosquitoes.
Mr Muritadha Usman, a beneficiary of the surgical interventions commended Ofi and the state government for bringing succour to their lives.
He assert that he had been battling with the disease for the past two years. (NAN)
