By Angela Atabo
The Noma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja, says it has carried out 457 complex reconstructive surgeries on children affected by noma since its establishment, with all treatments provided free of charge.
A statement by the centre on Tuesday in Abuja, quoted Dr Charles Ononiwu, National Coordinator of the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI), as saying this during the 2026 Oral Health Week, Noma Day and Scientific Conference.
Ononiwu said the centre had managed 321 patients and currently had more than 80 children receiving treatment, adding that 208 surgeries were performed this year alone.
He said the facility maintained an average of 82 patients monthly, providing comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team of plastic surgeons, ear, nose and throat specialists, paediatricians, clinical psychologists and other healthcare professionals.
The coordinator warned that noma could cause severe facial destruction within a week if left untreated, urging parents to seek immediate medical attention when children, particularly those aged between two and six years, complained of mouth pain.
“Make sure you maintain good oral hygiene for your children. If your child complains of pain in the mouth, please look for a hospital immediately,” he advised.
He identified poor oral hygiene, severe malnutrition and weakened immunity as factors that predisposed children to the disease, stressing that early detection and treatment could prevent extensive tissue damage.
According to him, early treatment involves basic antibiotics and adequate feeding, while reconstructive surgery for advanced cases can cost between N7 million and N10 million.
He urged families, healthcare workers and the public to report suspected cases through NANI’s toll-free line, assuring that the initiative would facilitate treatment, transportation and hospital bills for affected children.
Ononiwu said the centre also provided basic education, psychological support and vocational training for children and their parents during treatment, which could last several months.
He added that the facility received patients from other African countries, including Mozambique and Burundi.
He said the initiative also supported families with business equipment and resources to establish small businesses, as part of efforts to address poverty and reduce the risk of noma.
“The centre provided direct social assistance to 57 severe cases, enrolled 132 pupils in educational programmes, and empowered 143 participants through specialised skill acquisition classes during 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has unveiled a N70 billion five-year National Strategic Plan for Oral Health (2026–2030), aimed at strengthening oral healthcare delivery in the country.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, said state and local governments would provide 49 per cent of the funding, the Federal Government 30 per cent, while development partners would contribute the remaining 21 per cent.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for the integration of noma prevention, early detection and referral into primary healthcare services to reduce avoidable deaths and permanent facial disfigurement among children.
Also, the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, called for stronger community-based prevention and early detection to reduce noma cases in Nigeria.
Adebiyi, who delivered a memorial lecture titled: “A Legacy of Healing and Hope: Celebrating a Life of Dedication to Children Affected by Noma”, urged the integration of noma awareness into school curricula.
She also called on Nigerians to end discrimination against survivors of the disease.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Tope Adeyemi, acknowledged the association’s contributions to efforts to improve oral healthcare in the country.
The conference, organised by the Noma Centre Abuja in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, brought together key stakeholders to discuss progress in patient care, surgical interventions and public health advocacy.
The memorial lecture honoured the late Mama Ute Winkler Stumpf (1943–2020), founder of Hilfsaktion NOMA E.V., whose work supported the treatment and rehabilitation of children affected by the disease.
WHO defines noma as a severe infection that primarily affects malnourished children and can rapidly destroy facial tissues, noting that early detection and treatment can prevent its devastating consequences. (NAN)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran
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