The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) began free hydrocele surgeries on Friday for residents in all six Area Councils.
Teresa Nwachukwu, the Director of the FCT Public Health Department, said this effort will help those who cannot afford treatment get the surgical care they need.
Nwachukwu, who was represented by Ngozi Ebisike, the Head of the Disease Control Division, spoke during the flag-off ceremony at Kubwa General Hospital.
She explained that hydrocele can be treated but it can affect a person's movement, work, family life, confidence, and social life.
Many patients live with this condition for years, suffering pain and embarrassment and thinking that nothing can be done about it.
Nwachukwu said the FCTA initiative will give affected residents safe and high-quality surgical care.
She also thanked IHS Towers, The END Fund, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), and HANDS Division for their support.
These partners are committed to improving the prevention, detection, and treatment of neglected tropical diseases and their effects.
Lami Ndayako, the FCT Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), praised the partners, especially IHS Towers, for their help in fighting NTDs in the area.
She mentioned that since 2024, IHS Towers, through The END Fund, has been a key partner in efforts to eliminate NTDs in the FCT.
Ms Ndayako said the organization has put in about ₦114 million into the program in the last three years.
This support has improved preventive measures and care for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.
She noted that the program helped distribute more than 400,000 doses of ivermectin for onchocerciasis in two Area Councils.
Ms Ndayako added that over 600 community case finders have been trained to spot and refer people living with hydrocele and lymphoedema for surgery and treatment.
She mentioned that over 210 hydrocele surgeries have been done successfully in the last three years.
Earlier, Joseph Kumbur, an NTDs Specialist at CBM International, shared that the 2026 surgery program will take place across the six Area Councils before the end of October.
Kumbur noted that the FCT has six endemic NTDs, including river blindness and schistosomiasis.
He said efforts against river blindness have been ongoing since 1995, highlighting that the FCT used to have a high rate of the disease.
Damian Udeh, an Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs at IHS Towers, stated that the organization is dedicated to supporting local communities.
Udeh, represented by Jumai Adeika, an officer at the company, noted that their goal is to support initiatives that improve lives, build communities, and promote sustainable growth.
He commended the FCT government, health workers, surgeons, community teams, CBM, The END Fund, and other partners for their efforts.
"We are especially pleased with the progress made through this program and the number of people who have already received surgical care," he said.
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