MSF urges Nigeria to integrate noma care into primary healthcare

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on the Nigerian government to integrate the prevention, early detection, and treatment of noma into primary healthcare services. Speaking in Sokoto, MSF Nursing Activity Manager Samuel Ajamah warned that poverty, malnutrition, and poor healthcare access leave young children particularly vulnerable to the disease.

Noma is a non-contagious but rapidly progressing disease that destroys facial tissues and bones, often causing severe disfigurement. MSF reports that between 70 and 90 per cent of untreated victims die. The disease primarily affects children under seven years old living in underserved communities, with risk factors including malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, and low immunization coverage.

While the World Health Organization recognized noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease in 2023, MSF noted it remains largely absent from routine child health programs. The organization is advocating for stronger awareness campaigns, improved training for frontline healthcare workers, and more effective referral systems to ensure timely medical intervention.