The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with organizations such as Medicines Sans Frontiers and 31 other member states, has advocated for the inclusion of Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) in the official disease listing of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The proposal was presented by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, during the inauguration of the NOMA Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja. Noma is a necrotizing disease that devastates the mouth and face, typically beginning as a lesion or sore in the gums.
The minister, represented by Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Service, emphasized the importance of addressing Noma, particularly among children under the age of five. The initiative, supported by multiple nations, aims to gain global recognition in the fight against Noma.
Salaudeen stressed the urgency of detecting and addressing Noma, highlighting its prevalence among vulnerable populations living in poverty and remote areas without adequate amenities. The risk factors for Noma 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, leading to severe consequences for survivors, such as societal stigmatization and discrimination.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, called for support from Nigerians in advocating for awareness about the risk factors of Noma disease. He emphasized the impact of poor hygiene on the prevalence of Noma, particularly in children.
The WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi, commended Nigeria’s commitment to combating Noma. She acknowledged the leadership of the minister and Nigeria’s request to include Noma in the Neglected Tropical Diseases list. Kazadi emphasized the challenges faced by the poor and vulnerable populations affected by Noma, highlighting the need for resuscitation, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
The WHO reiterated its commitment to assisting Nigeria in preventing and controlling Noma, expressing ongoing efforts to include Noma in the Neglected Tropical Diseases list to garner increased global attention.
The anticipated inclusion of Noma in the WHO’s NTD list is viewed as a significant step forward for the Global Noma Community, fostering awareness, research initiatives, strategic alliances, and a coordinated global response against this preventable disease.