Hernia has remained one of the health challenges affecting thousands of elders I’m Kilifi County.
The increased cases though in silence is mostly affecting them since they fear going to school because of stigma.
The elderly men also reportedly fear going for the operation which forces them to suffer unknown to them that they can be treated.
Hernia is a disease that affects human beings, particularly men who develop a swelling on their scrotum that causes a lot of pain in their body.
Elija Bidii a clinical officer from Kilifi County said those who experience such ailments should visit the hospital and will undergo surgery to be treated permanently.
Speaking during a medical outreach program organized by George Kithi Foundation in partnership with the county government of Kilifi at Gede Primary school in Kilifi North constituency he said they received over 10 cases of hernia which they referred to the various public hospitals in the county.
He said in their records they have over 200 elderly who have been affected by hernia but there are many others out there who have not come out in public to seek treatment in the health facilities.
“Hernia is rampant in Kilifi many elders are suffering and is caused by the nature of work elderly do, they strain a lot to work in their different work areas for survival,” he said adding that its caused by stretching of muscles on the body.
Bidii thanked Kilifi county surgeons who have been at the forefront in ensuring they do operations to help those affected by hernia.
He said many do not want to come out in public due to the stigma to seek treatment despite the fact that it can be treated.
“I would urge all those who are suffering from hernia to come out to our hospitals surgeons are there and will undergo surgery,” he said.
Karisa Thoya aged 65 one of the victims suffering from a hernia said the ailment has really troubled him for years but due to poverty he has been unable to get treatment.
Thoya said apart from the hernia he has also problems with his eyes which need urgent attention.
On the hernia problem, he said normally the scrotum swells and causes a lot of pain and usually takes local tabs.
He said he was supposed to go for an operation but he could not afford the costs forcing him to use tabs whenever the scrotum swells.
Thoya appealed to the government and well-wishers to help him get treatment both for hernia and the eye problem so as to continue living healthy and support his family as he does odd jobs and cannot afford the costs for treatment.
George Kithi who is also eyeing to be governor of Kilifi said his foundation came up with the idea of the medical outreach to help many Kilifi residents who cannot afford the costs of medication and buying drugs.
He said Hernia has been a major concern among elderly men in Kilifi and promised to support them through his foundation.
“In Kilifi the problem of swelling of private parts of men is rampant but most of the time they fear coming out due to the stigma, they really suffer,” he said.
Through the medical outreach, he said they provide a private place for them to express themselves without fear.
He said the disease can be treated and urged all those suffering to come out during the outreaches so as to get treatment.
During the medical camp, hundreds of residents from Gede and Kilifi north benefitted from different treatments and drugs.
Kapita Bumbushu from Mbarakachembe thanked George Kithi foundation for offering free medical outreach as many cannot afford the health services.
Bumbushu said he has never suffered a hernia but called on those who are suffering from the disease to come out and get treatment.
