Sokoto: M©decins Sans Fronti¨res (MSF) in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health has offered free reconstructive surgeries to 1,074 indigent patients from 2014 to 2025. Mr Joseph Alick, the Head of Mission Operation and Protect Coordinator, disclosed this at the 9th Noma Day celebration with the theme ‘Ending Noma through Strengthening Intersectoral and Global Cooperation’ in Sokoto.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Noma is a bacterial infection that begins as an inflammation of the gums but quickly spreads, affecting the soft tissues of the cheek and destroying facial tissues. It can affect the bones of the face, leaving survivors with severe facial disfigurement within two weeks. Alick said the facility supported by MSF had conducted treatment for about 1,600 patients, consisting of major facial reconstructive surgeries, physiotherapy sessions, mental health, and psychosocial supports.
He highlighted that most Noma cases were recorded in the Northern parts of Nigeria, with some cases from other parts. ‘Children suffering from malnutrition and isolated communities with inadequate healthcare, poor vaccinations access, measles, malaria, and malnutrition are most vulnerable to the disease. Those that survive Noma either live with the long-term effects of the disease or undergo extensive reconstructive surgery to improve their quality of life,’ he said.
He emphasized the need for more awareness of Noma disease at all levels, enhanced surveillance systems to provide the right data, research to harness policy framework, as well as immunisation and malnutrition services. Alick further called for more community mobilisation and awareness, and training of healthcare workers in the field, saying Noma is a preventable disease, but children still die because of ignorance, poverty, and not accessing early care. He said Noma leads to high mortality rates and stigmatisation of survivors due to the slow implementation of the National Noma Plan and adequate funding aimed at controlling the disease.
The Medical Team Lead (MTL), Mr Menesbo Gormey, dwelled on the MSF activities at different levels, stressing the need for more community engagements in tracking Noma cases for early treatment. Gormey noted that Noma is a preventable disease through enhanced right immunisation and nutrition services, stressing the need for people to utilise available food supplements on their children, especially in the early ages. He underscored the importance of integrating Noma into community health campaigns as measures were on to integrate Noma activities into the existing structures of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
According to him, the development followed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) listing of Noma among the NTDs, adding that the integration would focus on areas such as active case search, psychosocial support, peer group support programmes, livelihood support, and anti-stigma campaigns. The Chief Medical Director of Noma Hospital, Dr Abubakar Abdullahi, educated the gathering on Noma disease symptoms, needed care and treatment, as well as good living after treatment.
‘This includes training healthcare workers, traditional healers, and community mobilisation officers to ensure early detection, treatment, and referral of oral diseases and Noma cases,’ he said. He explained that the revised National Oral Health Policy and Noma Policy and the Strategic Plan have positioned the Dentistry Division to lead in managing and preventing oral health diseases.
In his remarks, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Mr Faruk Wurno, commended MSF and other donors for supporting the state and assured more collaboration toward implementing the programme to achieve the desired results. Wurno, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad, described the support as a lifeline in recognition of the challenges faced by Noma patients. Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by the District Head of Shuni, Alhaji Jabbi Harande, reiterated the traditional ruler’s support on the prevention of Noma and other diseases in the state.
Some Noma survivors, Muhammad Usman and Dahiru Sa’idu, expressed appreciation to MSF and the Sokoto government for their support in uplifting their lives to return back to society. They highlighted their conditions, origin, and series of support received from MSF and Noma Hospital in Sokoto.