More info about Noma infection below
Noma, also known as necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis, gangrenous stomatitis, or cancrum oris, is a bacterial infection that affects both soft and hard tissues in the mouth and face and is usually fatal. It is caused by poor oral hygiene, a lack of sanitation, and malnutrition.
The most typical symptom and sign is the onset of an ulcer in the mucous membrane of the mouth, which then spreads to other areas of the face. Antibiotics, a healthy diet, and good oral hygiene can stop a problem if it is discovered early, but a late diagnosis, even with treatment, does not repair tissues that have been injured or disfigured.
The disease, which affects kids between the ages of 2 and 6, is more common in underdeveloped regions of Asia and Africa.
Noma has been ignored over the years despite being preventable but devastating. The World Health Organization (WHO) data from 1998, which estimated that there were 140,000 new cases worldwide each year, with the majority occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and a 90% mortality rate if not treated within two weeks, is now the most frequently cited estimate of the disease due to the lack of recent epidemiological data. Children in Nigeria have not been spared by the infection, which has killed many of them and disfigured many of the survivors in addition to making them vulnerable to stigma for the rest of their lives. This influenced the Federal Ministry of Health's choice to dial
The call was aimed at rallying global support in order to eliminate, start preventive and curative measures against the preventable but deadly disease.
The Noma Children’s Hospital, Sokoto established in 1999, has been the only specialist hospital shouldering the burden of the debilitating disease in the country. But this year Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI) began construction of a new 100 bed National Noma Treatment Centre within the National Hospital, Abuja. Medical experts say the disease is curable and even preventable but lack of awareness has made a good number of patients die at home without visiting hospital.
I would like to advocate that an awareness campaign be held annually and this should be taken to people in the rural areas who are most vulnerable and unaware.
Similarly, more specialists should be trained on the infection and effort be made to establish more specialist hospitals in at least each geopolitical zone of the country.
Furthermore, people should be educated to embrace oral hygiene and proper nutrition.
Lastly, I urge all to avoid stigmatisation of the victims of the disease.