The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to improving oral health in Nigeria and tackling the risk factors for oral diseases, including Noma, through an integrated primary healthcare approach.
Speaking at the 2024 National Oral Health and Noma Day held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, represented by Dr. Saludeen Jimoh, Director of Hospital Services, emphasized the need for early detection, diagnosis, and grassroots-level management of oral diseases.
Dr. Salako described Noma as a devastating non-contagious disease driven by poor oral hygiene and acute malnutrition, affecting children aged 2 to 6. He stated:
“Noma rapidly eats away the soft and hard tissues of the face, often leaving individuals with poor cosmetic outcomes and, if untreated, resulting in death.”
To combat Noma, Dr. Salako highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in regional and global collaborations since 2016, including efforts under the World Bank’s Africa Regional framework to bridge knowledge gaps. Milestones include the establishment of the Noma Treatment Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja and additional facilities in Sokoto State, reflecting the government’s resolve to eradicate this preventable and treatable disease.
The Minister also commended the Technical Working Group (TWG) for its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recognition of Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). This recognition has attracted global support from health authorities, NGOs, philanthropists, and funding partners.
Addressing Workforce Gaps and Universal Health Coverage
To address workforce shortages in oral healthcare, the Ministry has introduced task-sharing and upskilling initiatives at primary healthcare centers, enabling the delivery of basic oral care. Dr. Salako further noted the critical role of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and creating a sustainable framework for tackling oral diseases.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Azeez Aderemi, emphasized ongoing public health actions to reduce Noma’s burden. These include educating communities about the disease’s causes, symptoms, and prevention, alongside addressing malnutrition through the Renewed Hope Agenda’s nutritional programs and food security initiatives.
Goodwill Messages and Public Awareness Activities
The event also featured goodwill messages from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Presentations by Dr. Charles Ononiwu of the Noma Centre in Abuja and dramatic performances by student nurses raised awareness of oral diseases and Noma.
With the theme “Listing Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease: What Next?”, the 2024 National Oral Health and Noma Day underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating Noma and enhancing oral health for all Nigerians.
