Noma is a non-contagious disease that starts with inflammation of the gums. Within a few days it rapidly spreads, causing destruction of facial tissues and bones, leading to death for around 70 to 90 per cent of those infected. Those who survive are left with severe disfigurements making it hard to eat, speak, see or breathe. They face a future of pain, disability and social stigma.

The disease affects the most vulnerable, mostly children under seven years old, who live in extreme poverty and isolated areas. Most of these children deal with malnutrition, lack of oral hygiene, and limited access to healthcare and routine vaccinations.

Since 2014, MSF has been supporting the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s Noma Children’s Hospital in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria. The hospital was founded in 1999 and is one of the few in the world that specialises in treatment of noma.  Teams provide free life-changing reconstructive surgery, nutritional support, mental health support, physiotherapy, health promotion, and outreach activities. Between 2014 and 2025, MSF supported 2,294 reconstructive surgeries for 1,074 patients. A total of 1,190 patients received medical care at the hospital in 2025. Each year, the hospital conducts approximately three surgical interventions. The first surgical intervention of 2026 took place from 18 April to 1 May.