The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called for collaborative efforts from government stakeholders to fight against the spread of NOMA disease in Sokoto State.
Samuel Joseph, a health expert with MSF, said NOMA is a preventable condition.
He urged the government and community leaders to prioritise hygiene awareness and improve living conditions to protect citizens from the disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NOMA is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face.
Children at age 2 to 6-year-old are majorly affected, and NOMA health conditions are predominantly found among those living in poor communities.
Research has it that the African continent suffers most, although cases have also been reported in Asia, the Americas, and other regions.
Speaking during the 10th Anniversary and 2024 NOMA Day commemoration at Sokoto, Guest Inn, Mr. Joseph underscored the importance of prevention as a more effective and cost-efficient approach compared to treatment.
At the same event, Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, appealed to MSF to upgrade the NOMA hospital in Sokoto to international standards.
Represented by Dr. Namadina Ibrahim, Special Adviser on Malaria Elimination, the governor described the hospital as the busiest of its kind in Nigeria, serving patients from Sokoto and neighbouring countries, including Niger, Mali, and Ghana.
The governor highlighted the urgent need for expansion, stating that an upgraded facility would not only accommodate more patients but also provide specialised training for doctors treating NOMA.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also praised MSF’s contributions to fighting NOMA in the state.
Represented by the District Head of Bodinga, Muhammad Bello, the Sultan pledged his support for efforts to make Sokoto a NOMA-free state and encouraged continued collaboration between MSF and the local government.
During the programme, MSF showcased its impact in Sokoto, revealing that 1,467 major surgeries had been performed since the project’s inception.
