In a dedicated effort to combat NOMA disease in Nigeria, Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) has successfully carried out 1,380 major surgeries and over 800 minor surgeries at its hospital in Sokoto State.
Mr. Samuel Joseph, an official of MSF, shared this information during the NOMA Day 2023, emphasizing that the surgeries aimed to address facial disfigurement caused by NOMA disease.
Beneficiaries of the free surgeries hailed from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and other northern states.
In 2023 alone, 166 major surgeries and 87 minor surgeries were performed, focusing on patients suffering from NOMA and facial disfigurement.
The MSF efforts also extended to mental health consultations, group and individual counseling, and over 4,000 cases of psychosocial first aid (PFA).
John Canty, the Project Manager of MSF in Sokoto State, highlighted malnutrition as a significant contributing factor to NOMA in Nigeria.
Related News: https://savingpointmedia.com/uk-reports-first-human-case-of-swine-flu-strain-h1n2/
NOMA, a neglected disease affecting those in poverty, is infectious but non-contagious. It initiates as gum inflammation, rapidly destroying bone and tissue in the jaw, lips, cheeks, nose, or eyes.
Without timely treatment, up to 90% of people succumb to NOMA within the first two weeks.
Canty emphasized the treatability and preventability of NOMA through early detection and management, incorporating basic oral hygiene, antibiotics, wound dressing, and awareness.
He underscored the importance of good nutrition, oral hygiene, access to healthcare, and vaccinations against childhood diseases to prevent NOMA.
The specialized care for NOMA in Nigeria is available at the Sokoto State Ministry of Health’s Noma hospital, supported by MSF since 2014.
The hospital focuses on specialized surgery, and MSF has actively advocated for NOMA’s inclusion in the World Health Organization neglected tropical diseases list.
You can also read: https://savingpointmedia.com/sisialagbo-aims-to-set-guinness-world-record-with-300-hour-agbo-a-thon-challenge/