Our work in Niger
Neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis are endemic in Niger, with more than 8.9 million people thought to be at risk of the disease.
This vast, landlocked country is particularly affected by lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease transmitted via mosquito bite.
The disease causes many unpleasant symptoms, but is frequently characterised by abnormal enlargement of body parts, including the hands, feet and scrotum (known as hydrocele).
In 2019, Sightsavers supported work in Niger to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as lymphatic filariasis thanks to the UK aid flagship NTD programme Ascend West and Central Africa. This three-year programme is made up of a consortium of partners, including Sightsavers, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Mott MacDonald, and the SCI Foundation.
In the first year of Ascend, we helped to carry out 200 operations for hydrocele. The programme is also planning to protect communities from other NTDs such as schistosomiasis and intestinal worms.
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