FG reinforces primary care with oral health services, intensifies fight against Noma

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to embed oral health services into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system as part of a renewed national push to eliminate noma and improve overall wellbeing, especially for vulnerable children.

This commitment was made in Abuja during the 2025 National Oral Health Week, Noma Awareness Day and Scientific Workshop.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the country would now be mandated to provide oral hygiene education, counselling, basic diagnostics, fluoride treatments, restorative services and referrals.

He noted that the reorganisation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund will channel more resources toward expanding access to oral healthcare.

Dr. Salako underscored the theme of the 2025 commemoration, “Ending Noma through Strengthening Intersectoral and Global Cooperation.”

He emphasised that oral health remained a vital component of national wellbeing, reiterating the World Health Organization’s assertion that “there is no health without oral health.” According to him, millions of Nigerians continue to suffer from preventable oral diseases, while noma, a rapidly progressing gangrenous infection affecting mostly malnourished children, remained a public health emergency in parts of the country.

Highlighting the high burden of noma in the North-West region, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government world upgrade dental facilities nationwide and expand the dental workforce at the primary care level.

PHC staff, community health workers and traditional birth attendants were also being trained to identify early signs of oral diseases, including noma, cleft lip and palate, and make timely referrals.

Dr. Salako further reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the fight against noma, pointing to the establishment of the Noma Centre in Abuja and the Noma Children’s Hospital in Sokoto, where patients receive free, comprehensive care.

He stressed that eliminating noma required a whole-of-society approach, including investments in nutrition, sanitation, housing, immunisation and maternal and child health. “Noma is not just a medical failure, but a societal inadequacy,” he said.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, described noma as one of the most devastating but preventable diseases.

Kachollom noted that Nigeria’s leadership contributed significantly to the World Health Organization’s recognition of noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease in 2023, a milestone that had since attracted global funding and research.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to integrating oral health into primary healthcare and ensure services remain accessible and sustainable.

The Chairman of Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI), Mr. Mathis Winkler, praised Nigeria’s leadership in global noma advocacy and revealed that over 200 survivors had received treatment at the Noma Treatment Centre in Abuja.

Many required complex reconstructive surgeries due to severe facial disfigurement. He pledged NANI’s continued support in research, prevention and surgical interventions.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also highlighted its longstanding partnership with Nigeria. The organisation reported that since 2014, over 1,600 reconstructive surgeries had been performed for over 1,000 patients at the Noma Hospital in Sokoto.

MSF has also trained 28 Nigerian surgeons and 14 anaesthetists, helping build sustainable local capacity. The organisation called for stronger noma surveillance systems and increased funding.

The President of the Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Elias Emedom, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to oral health promotion and noma prevention.

He called for full implementation of the National Oral Health Policy and urged the government to improve working conditions for health professionals to curb brain drain.

The event brought together government leaders, global partners, health professionals and civil society groups in a shared commitment to end noma and strengthen oral health services across Nigeria.

Stakeholders emphasised that no Nigerian child should suffer or die from a disease that is entirely preventable and pledged to intensify collaboration, awareness and research.