1/36

Noma survivors: closer to getting the attention they deserve

Noma is a preventable and treatable disease that affects people living in poverty, especially young children. It starts as an inflammation of the gums and can rapidly spread, causing destruction of facial tissues and bones. If left untreated, most affected people die within a short period of time. Those who survive are left with severe facial disfigurements that can make it hard to eat, speak, see or breathe. In addition, survivors often face stigma because of their disfigurements.

MSF has been supporting the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s Sokoto Noma Hospital since 2014 by providing reconstructive surgery, nutritional and mental health support and outreach activities. In May 2023, for the first time outside of Covid-19 restrictions, the noma surgical intervention was led by an all-Nigerian team of highly trained plastic and maxillofacial surgeons, anaesthesiologists and nurses.

After a three-years intense advocacy and communication campaign, the request to include noma in the World Health Organization’s list of Neglected Tropical Diseases has been submitted by Nigeria and 31 countries in January 2023. During the whole campaign and especially during this last push, noma survivors have been taking the lead as advocates. And in Sokoto Noma Hospital, three people affected are now part of the response, working at the hospital and supporting patients and their families.

MSBSTO36488

Linked assets