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Nigeria faces high Noma rates, government pledges stronger action
Nigeria is among the Sub-Saharan countries with the highest prevalence of Noma, a severe oral disease. Iziaq Salako announced new efforts to expand oral health services, especially for vulnerable groups, on June 4, 2024. The government aims to fully integrate oral health into primary care and boost funding.
"No child should live with a preventable deformity, and no parent should suffer avoidable grief."
Highlights
- Nigeria is in the Noma belt, with the highest burden of cases in Africa, especially among children in poor communities.
- The government, under Bola Tinubu, is increasing investment in oral health, upgrading dental facilities, and training health workers.
- Over 1,600 reconstructive surgeries have been performed since 2014 through partnerships with Médecins Sans Frontières.
- Noma is preventable and treatable, but poverty, malnutrition, and poor hygiene keep incidence high.
- The National Assembly recognizes Noma as a public health emergency and calls for stronger primary care and community education.
