More than twelve people suffering from elephantiasis have been provided medication in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State capital, Wau, through a free medical camp organized by the health ministry with support from partners.
Other patients also received medicines to treat hydrocele and swellings of the breasts.
According to the state health minister, Dr. Francis Michael Hassan, the campaign will continue until all targeted patients in the state are treated.
“At the level of Lokloko Primary Health Care Center, we have registered twelve cases of elephantiasis and two cases of hydrocele, in Gezira Center and Jur River County, we have also launched a camp in Udici Payam and the final report will be submitted for us to have the total number of the cases,” he said.
The minister urged the public particularly those suffering from the diseases to turn up for the free service.
In another development, the state ministry of health also received financial support from the national ministry to set up cholera preventive measures in the state.
“Since the deceleration of the cholera outbreak in South Sudan starting with Renk in Upper Nile state, till now we have not recorded any case. We activated a cholera task force that is disseminating information through the radio, in the health centers and Wau Teaching Hospital,” Dr. Hassan said. “Medicines also arrived and I thank the National Health Ministry for the financial support. We will activate the screening centers at Wau Airport and other entry points for our state to be cholera-free.”
According to health experts, elephantiasis, also characterized as lymphatic filariasis, is a very rare condition that is spread by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical zones. The disease commonly affects arms and legs which swell and become much bigger. It also affects human reproductive organs and breasts may also swell up. The affected skin can thicken and harden to look something like an elephant’s skin.