The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the launch of the first specialized program in the Kingdom for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with Elephantiasis and Lymphangitis starting March 2017, in collaboration with Sultan bin Abdulazizi Humanitarian City. The program aims to deal with the increasing cases of Lymphedema and Lymphangitis.
It indicated that the program comes in the framework of the joint cooperation between the ministry and Sultan bin Abdulazizi Humanitarian City, in an endeavor to provide various health services in the field of rehabilitation and surgery for different segments of society, and improve quality of life for individual and family within the society.
It is noteworthy that the number of persons infected with the Elephantiasis in the world is estimated at 140 million.The Elephantiasis or Lymphedema is defined as a defect in the functioning of the lymphatic vessels which resulting in the swelling and enlargement of upper or lower limbs or both of them. The enlargement is caused by the filarial worms which attack tissues under the skin and lymphatic vessels and cause inflammation and chronic ulcers in the limbs. Filariasis, which affects the limbs, has been called this name due to the resemblance between the infected leg and the elephant's.
The center also treats patients with Lymphangitis of all other causes such as: genetic causes, secondary causes resulting from radiation therapy, accidents and surgical removal of lymph nodes.
The treatment and rehabilitation of patients with this disease is so difficult due to the lack of specialized centers, and a team of different specializations, particularly in the field of lymphatic vessels, should be available to deal with this category, in order to provide them with the best service by focusing on all necessary aspects. Usually the medical team includes consultant endocrine, consultant vascular surgeon, consultant general surgery, wound care nurses, physiotherapists or qualified staff dealing with lymphatic vessels and Lymphedema. They all work together to serve the patient and his family regardless of his treatment and rehabilitation options which are usually dependent on the extent of the infection, meanwhile the option may be conservative or surgical, followed by rehabilitation period at a treatment and rehabilitation center.