In Afikpo, Edda, and Ivo local government areas of Ebonyi State, many children face life-threatening surgical conditions, such as hydrocele, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the scrotum. Dr. Moses Ude, a medical expert, explains that if untreated, hydrocele can drastically reduce these children’s quality of life and impact their future ability to father children.
In addition to hydrocele, these children suffer from various other ailments, including umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia, lumps, and undescended testes. These conditions are so prevalent that they are easily noticeable. Some children are born with these issues, while others develop them later. Unfortunately, due to a lack of medical attention and necessary surgeries, they often live with these conditions untreated.
Maurice Ekuma, a cleric, notes that many parents, unable to afford medical care, hope their children will outgrow these ailments. This assumption can lead to children growing up with impairments, blaming their parents or the world for not intervening when they were younger.
“Due to the high number of surgical cases among children, many parents believe their children can live with these conditions because they can’t afford the surgeries. As these children grow, they may develop resentment towards their parents or society for not helping them. That’s why we are taking action to prevent further damage,” he told Daily Sun.
Sadly, some children die from complications related to these conditions. These children are the future of Nigeria, their communities, and Ebonyi State. Saving them now means securing the future of the country. Dr. Oko Christian, the founder of the Healthy and Smart Children Foundation, recently organized free surgeries for 100 children with these ailments. He revealed to Daily Sun that approximately 1.75 billion people worldwide lack access to surgical care.
From July 11 to 14, 2024, medical doctors provided free surgeries in Afikpo for hernia, hydrocele, undescended testes, lumps, and other ailments affecting children aged 0 to 18. Approximately 1.75 billion children worldwide lack access to surgical care. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), up to 87% of surgical needs remain unmet. Each year, in Nigeria, nearly half of the 230 million population are aged 0–19 years, and about 2.9 million of them require elective surgeries. Without proper surgical care, many are at risk of disabilities and higher mortality rates,” Dr. Oko explained.
In Ebonyi State, many children have been neglected due to financial constraints and lack of access to surgical care. As a result, they either die or grow up with deformities that affect their future. Dr. Oko’s foundation conducted research in the three local government areas and found a high prevalence of hernia, hydrocele, and undescended testes, especially in Akpoha communities in Afikpo.
“We observed a high prevalence of hernia, hydrocele, and undescended testes in children, particularly in Akpoha communities. Unfortunately, these children grow up with these deformities because their parents can’t afford surgeries. A surgical mission like this is essential to meet the pediatric surgical needs in these communities.”
Dr. Oko added, “The Centre of Hope Hospital Limited in Afikpo provided world-class facilities for this mission, including four equipped theaters and numerous beds. The total cost for hernia surgery in a teaching hospital is about N350,000, while surgery for undescended testes can be up to N550,000. In private hospitals, these costs can be even higher. Many average-income Nigerians can’t afford these expenses and may abandon their children to fate.”
He emphasized the need for government intervention: “The government should prioritize children’s health and education. Children born with congenital malformations should receive free care to prevent neglect due to poverty.”
Parents should prioritize their children’s health. Any illness should be reported to healthcare centers for proper care. Registering with an insurance scheme can help minimize healthcare costs. Dr. Oko expressed gratitude to donors, the Centre of Hope Hospital, and the volunteer surgical team for their contributions to the mission’s success.
Ogba Justice Isu from Akpoha shared how his daughter suffered from a hernia for four years due to financial constraints but was finally relieved thanks to the free surgery. Emmanuel Oko Uche from Ngodo said his three-month-old son had a double hernia, but the outreach provided the necessary surgery free of charge, bringing immense relief to his family.
Jacinta Oseh from Ishiagu also expressed gratitude for the free surgery that removed her daughter’s hernia, diagnosed when she was one year old. The surgery, performed when the child was five, was a much-needed intervention they couldn’t afford. Ohuche Celestina Ijeoma, a volunteer nurse, shared the fulfillment she felt participating in the outreach, despite the stress involved. She was happy to give families and children another chance at a healthy life.
“My happiness comes from giving parents and children another chance to live through this free surgery outreach. Many of these families had lost hope and suffered unimaginable pain. The surgeries restored their joy and alleviated their financial stress. Despite the challenges, being part of this mission was incredibly rewarding,” she said.
