FG Raises Alarm As Noma Ravages Nigeria, Ranking It Among The Worst Affected Nations

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has warned that Nigeria lies squarely within the Noma belt of Sub-Saharan Africa, placing it among countries with the highest burden of the disease.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He made the statement in Abuja during the 2025 National Oral Health Week and Noma Awareness Day Scientific Conference held on Tuesday, December 2, themed “Ending Noma through Strengthening Intersectoral and Global Cooperation.”

Describing poor oral health as a “silent epidemic,” Salako said it continues to undermine productivity and quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

“Data shows that oral diseases are the most common non-communicable diseases, affecting nearly 50 percent of the world’s population. They carry significant social, economic, and health system impacts, causing pain, disfigurement, social isolation, distress, and death,” he said.

He noted that Noma, a fast-spreading gangrenous infection primarily affecting malnourished children in extreme poverty, remains a major threat in Nigeria’s North-West, where poor hygiene, malnutrition, and poverty exacerbate its spread.

“Nigeria falls within the Noma belt of Sub-Saharan Africa and is among the countries with the highest prevalence of the disease,” he added.

Salako highlighted that delayed detection and weak surveillance systems mean many cases go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to preventable deaths. He affirmed that the government is working to fully integrate oral health services into Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities nationwide.

“The Federal Ministry of Health is ensuring that PHCs provide oral hygiene education, diagnostics, fluoride treatment, restorative services, and referrals,” he said. He also disclosed plans to expand the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, upgrade dental facilities, employ more dental professionals, and train PHC workers and traditional birth attendants to identify and refer oral diseases early.

According to the minister, this approach aims to reduce stigmatization, raise awareness, and ensure early identification of Noma, cleft lips, and palates.

“No Child Should Die of a Preventable Disease”

Salako stressed that Noma is both preventable and treatable, stating it is “unacceptable that any child should suffer irreversible disfigurement or die from it.” He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to early detection and grassroots care through an integrated PHC system.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Contributions

The Country Representative of MSF, Ahmed Aldikhari, said the organization has provided comprehensive Noma care in Nigeria since 2014, including reconstructive surgeries, physiotherapy, nutrition support, and mental health services.

“We have conducted over 1,600 major reconstructive surgeries for 1,074 patients across 33 surgical missions. In 2025 alone, 99 surgeries were performed for 89 patients,” he said. MSF has also trained 28 surgeons and 14 anesthetists locally, boosting Nigeria’s capacity for long-term Noma care.

Aldikhari lauded the inclusion of Noma in the WHO list of neglected tropical diseases, calling it a “major milestone” achieved through joint advocacy by Nigeria and MSF.

Nigeria Bears Highest Noma Burden

The Chairman of Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI), Mathis Winkler, stated that Nigeria carries the highest Noma burden in Africa.

“Being Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria is the most affected by Noma. Our mission is to help survivors and prevent the disease,” he said.

The organization’s Country Director, Dr. Charles Ononiwu, disclosed that 237 Noma surgeries have been performed free of charge since 2023, covering transportation, surgery, medication, feeding, and social support.

Legislative Concern and Call to Action

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Amos Magaji, described Noma as both a public health emergency and a social justice issue.

“Ending Noma is achievable within our lifetime. No child should live with a preventable deformity, and no parent should endure avoidable grief,” he said, emphasizing the need to address poverty, malnutrition, and water scarcity, while strengthening PHC systems, community education, and sustainable financing to eliminate the disease.