The Federal Government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with Medecins Sans Frontieres and 31 other member states, has proposed Noma’s inclusion as a Neglected Tropical Disease in the World Health Organisation’s official disease listing.
The proposal was presented by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, during the inauguration of NOMA Centre on Wednesday at the National Hospital in Abuja.
Noma is a necrotising disease that destroys the mouth and the face which usually starts as a lesion (a sore) of the gums, inside the mouth.
The minister, speaking at an event to mark annual awareness day noted that the initiative supported by numerous nations, aims to secure global recognition for the battle against Noma.
WHO reiterated its commitment to assisting Nigeria in preventing and controlling Noma, emphasizing ongoing efforts to include Noma in the Neglected Tropical Diseases list for increased global attention
