Nigeria’s persistently high burden of Noma reflects deeper structural weaknesses in its public health, poverty reduction and early disease surveillance.
The country sits firmly within the recognised “Noma belt” of Sub-Saharan Africa, where extreme poverty, malnutrition and lack of access to oral healthcare create ideal conditions for the disease to thrive.
At the 2025 National Oral Health Week and Noma Awareness Day, experts again stressed the urgent need to strengthen oral health systems, integrate early detection into primary healthcare, and increase funding for preventive services.
Noma is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, primarily affecting children between two and six years old. It begins as a curable gum infection but can destroy facial tissues within days.
The World Health Organisation identifies its drivers as similar to those of many other neglected tropical diseases, such as poor sanitation, malnutrition, low vaccination coverage and inadequate access to primary health care.
In Nigeria, the factors are aggravated by widespread poverty and poor surveillance, meaning cases often go undocumented until the disease has reached an advanced disfiguring stage.
Understanding these dynamics shifts the issue from isolated medical events to a symptom of systemic deprivation. Poor oral health remains one of Nigeria’s most widespread yet least-addressed health challenges, contributing to reduced productivity, school absenteeism among children and social stigma.
Globally, oral diseases rank among the most common non-communicable diseases, affecting nearly half of the world’s population.
Amidst these challenges, some institutional efforts are underway. The Federal Ministry of Health is restructuring the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to expand financing for oral-health services at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. This includes integrating diagnostics, fluoride treatment, restorative care, and referral pathways into routine community health delivery.
Training has also been scaled up for PHC workers, community health officers and traditional birth attendants to help them identify early signs of Noma and other oral diseases—vital steps for early detection and reducing disfigurement.
International organisations have played a major role, too. Médecins Sans Frontières has worked with Nigerian health authorities for over a decade to provide comprehensive Noma care, including reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation and mental-health support.
MSF-supported centres have conducted large-scale surgical missions and trained local health professionals, greatly boosting national capacity to manage Noma.
Their advocacy contributed to WHO’s recent classification of Noma as a neglected tropical disease—a milestone that elevates global attention and resources for its prevention and treatment.
Local NGOs and specialised centres complement these efforts by providing free surgical interventions, community outreach and social support for affected children from indigent households. Many cover transportation, feeding, medication and surgery.
Policy and legislative advocacy is also mounting. Committees within the National Assembly are framing Noma as both a health emergency and a matter of equity and social justice.
Their approach recognises that eliminating Noma requires addressing the social determinants that fuel it—poverty, malnutrition, unclean water and low access to basic education—while strengthening PHC systems.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s progress against Noma will depend on how effectively these combined measures are sustained. With consistent investment and cross-sector collaboration, the country can substantially lower Noma’s prevalence and ensure that no child suffers from this preventable disease.
Summary not available at this time.
