Delta agency flags off 3rd phase free surgeries for patients living with Hydrocele
Dr Joseph Onojaeme, Delta State Commissioner for Health.
The Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA) in collaboration with The Carter Center has flagged off the third phase of Free Surgeries for patients living with Hydrocele in the state beginning from March 9 to March 13, 2026.
A hydrocele is a buildup of clear fluid in the sac surrounding a testicle that causes swelling in the scrotum.
Joseph Onojaeme, Delta State Commissioner for Health at the flag-off, in Asaba, said the 3rd phase is a sequence of surgical interventions for Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention spanning over a period of two years for patients suffering from the Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Onojaeme who was represented at the event by Paul Yinkore, the executive director, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the free surgeries was part of the commitment of the agency to continue to expand access to health for all residents in Delta State.
While commending the Carter Centre for the sustained partnership in the state, the commissioner expressed optimism that the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration would do more in expanding healthcare access to all Deltans.
“It is worth mentioning that the partnership between the State Government, through DSPHCDA and The Carter Center which spans over 35 years, has yielded the following: Stopped transmission of the Guinea-worm disease across the state, Interrupted the transmission of River blindness disease (Onchocerciasis) for 5 years through Mass Drug Administration in 15 out of 25 LGAs of the State; The State is now under Post Treatment Surveillance (PTS); Interrupted the transmission of lymphatic filariasis in 2023 after successful assessments in 16 out of 25 LGAs with a total number of 2,870,639 persons taken out of Mass Drug Administration in the State.”
He recalled achievements recorded in the first and second phase of the program to include “In Phase One (2024), 48 free hydrocelectomies were successfully performed. In Phase Two (2025), another 50 patients benefited from the intervention. Today, all these beneficiaries have regained their health, dignity, and ability to lead productive lives.”
He said while the surgical interventions would run between 9th – 13th March, 2026, follow-up & Post-operative Care would last until 31st March, 2026 at the following designated centres: Delta North:Asaba Specialist Hospital, Asaba; Delta Central:Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Eku; and Delta South: Central Hospital, Warri
The commissioner reiterated the resolve of the Oborevwori-led administration to continue to fund the health sector for the benefits of all Deltans irrespective of social status.
