NAILUVA villager Rafaele Mati has a new lease of life.
Filariasis led to a swelling of the scrotum and five years of shame.
An active farmer Mati was unaware of the disease and did not seek medical help at the start.
Mr Mati's condition deteriorated gradually making him bedridden.
The 60-year-old said his condition was so bad that he isolated himself from the rest of the world.
Mr Mati said he felt embarrassed and confined himself to his home.
"In the early stages I could move about," Mr Mati said.
"But then gradually the swelling increased. I stopped going outside my house. I refrained from attending church functions. I was really ashamed of my condition."
Mr Mati said after five years he voluntarily decided to seek medical treatment. He said he visited the Lautoka hospital twice before being referred to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva.
Mr Mati's condition was noted by the Morbidity Control Project Officer Adrea Matanitobua.
Mr Matanitobua is heading the project team funded by the World Health Organisation to identify cases of filariasis and cure patients.
He said the first stage was strategy treatment, which is the use of tablets.
Mr Matanitobua said the second phase was to cure patients.
He said they identified 140 cases so far but this did not include Rotuma and the Eastern Division.
"In Rakiraki alone we have 19 cases," Mr Matanitobua said.
"So far we have done seven surgeries. We want the people with such disease to know that there is a cure available. The most important thing is that this is done free of charge."
He said the oldest patient in Rakiraki was 68 years old while the youngest was 32.
The surgery depends on the swelling condition of the scrotum and could take between one to two hours. French doctor George Capuano is in charge of the surgery. He is assisted by Alisi Natuikata of Lautoka Hospital and Samuela Tuibeqa, who is a laboratory technician.
Mr Matanitobua said people with such conditions faced a lot of marital problems.He said in many cases the condition led to divorce.
"Many people with such conditions are embarrassed about getting help," Mr Matanitobua said.
"Some people have been identified with the disease but they continue to live in denial. Some have even isolated themselves. They face sexual problems."
Mr Mati said the feeling after the surgery was great and he felt his burden had been lifted.
"I want other people with thisproblem to know that there is a cure," Mr Mati said. "Please come and get medical attention. I can go home now and resume my normal life as I used to live before. I'm lucky that my family has been on my side all the time. My wife is still with me. I thank the Lord for giving my old life back."
Mr Matanitobua said Mati should recover from his surgery within six weeks. He said the team hoped to visit the Nadi hospital next before heading to Suva and Rotuma.
