Helen Keller International on December 8, 2015, made the donation for the treatment of swollen legs and testicles.

Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, continue to be a major public health challenge in developing countries, especially in poor communities. To tackle the problem, the Ministry of Public Health, MINSANTE, this year launched the Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention, MMDP project in the Far North and North Regions.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the project, which seeks to treat Elephantiasis (swollen legs) and Hydroceles (swollen testicles), Helen Keller International, HKI, an American charity, on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, in Yaounde, made a donation to MINSANTE. It comprises eight Yahama AG motor bikes, two sets of desktop computers complete with printers, video projectors and filing cabinets. Speaking at the handover of the gifts worth FCFA 25 million, the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, said they were timely because the bikes will enable field staff to get to inaccessible communities. On the other hand, the computers will ensure better data storage and reporting of project activities.

According to Helen Keller International Cameroon Country Director, Michel Paradis, his charity has since 1992 been offering assistance in tackling health challenges having to do with sight and five NTDs in all regions. The assistance worth FCFA 7.9 billion, has been mainly through the mass distribution of drugs. To date, there are 1,350 cases of swollen legs and 425 cases of swollen testicles in the Far North and North Regions to be handled by the MMDP project.