The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in partnership with Medecins Sans Frontieres and 31 other member states, advocates for the inclusion of Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease in the World Health Organization’s official disease listing.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, presented the proposal during the inauguration of the NOMA Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja on Wednesday.
Noma is a necrotizing disease that causes destruction to the mouth and face, typically originating as a lesion or sore in the gums within the mouth.
During an event marking the annual awareness day, the minister highlighted that the initiative, supported by numerous nations, seeks global recognition in the fight against Noma.
Represented by Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Service, Pate underscored the urgency of detecting and addressing Noma (cancrum oris) in children under the age of five. He also emphasized the need for swift action in pursuit of the accelerated implementation of SDG III and the realization of Universal Health Coverage.
Salaudeen said, “Noma is known to affect vulnerable populations living in poverty and in remote areas of the country which do not have the necessary amenities of life and are plagued with conditions that lower the victims’ immunity leading to severe morbidity and mortality in these populations.”
“Most cases of Noma occur in children between ages two and five years. Other risk factors include chronic or acute malnutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, Noma is associated with a 90% mortality rate within weeks. Noma survivors are confronted with societal stigmatization, discrimination, and social isolation.”
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, appealed for the assistance of Nigerians in the advocacy efforts to tackle the risk factors associated with Noma disease.
Issa-Onilu, who was presented by the Director, Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilization, Mrs.Theresa Maduekwe, said: “Noma disease is a disease that destroys the face, soft tissues of the mouth, and the face actually affects mostly the children that manure.”
“Also it is also a problem of hygiene as long as we don’t clean the mouth in the morning after eating all sorts of things, including taking soda we drink and food we eat.”
In her statement, Dr. Walter Kazadi, the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, praised Nigeria’s steadfast dedication to combating Noma.
She recognized the minister’s leadership and Nigeria’s request for the inclusion of Noma in the Neglected Tropical Diseases list.
Kazadi, who was presented by Dr Mary Dewan, said, “Noma affects the poor and the most vulnerable, and this most affected population delay in presentation and when they present to the health facilities, cannot afford treatment. A huge number then presents with stage 3 or 4 diseases requiring resuscitation, several surgeries, and rehabilitation.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) restated its dedication to supporting Nigeria in the prevention and management of Noma. They underscored their ongoing initiatives to have Noma included in the Neglected Tropical Diseases list, aiming to garner heightened global attention.
Anticipation surrounds the inclusion of Noma in WHO’s NTD list, marking a notable stride for the Global Noma Community. This move is expected to enhance awareness, spur research initiatives, facilitate strategic alliances, and prompt a coordinated global response against this preventable disease.