Below are extracts from a lead article on Nigeria Health Watch.
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Why We Must Accelerate the Inclusion of Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease
By Misbahu el-Hamza (Lead Writer)
https://articles.nigeriahealthwatch.com/why-we-must-accelerate-the-inclu...
The non-communicable disease kills up to 90% of affected people, most of them live in poor communities in Africa. It begins as a sore on the gum and if left untreated, progressively destroys the mouth, nose, and facial tissues over time. Survivors live with physical and functional problems that make it difficult to speak, breathe, chew, and even see. As a result, they are stigmatised and find it difficult to function in society. Timely detection and treatment of noma is critical to avoid physical deformities and death...
Noma is yet to be classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Experts believe that the inclusion of noma disease in WHO list of NTDs, will bring the required attention to the disease including funding for research...
To raise awareness among health workers, better diagnosis of noma should be integrated in medical and nursing schools in Nigeria. It should also be in-cooperated in the training health care workers at the primary health care and facility levels receive. WHO has developed online open access courses on noma for health workers in English and Hausa. This will ensure prompt diagnosis and referral to the Noma Treatment Centre in Abuja...
It is critical to closing the gaps in disease surveillance and response, as well knowledge gaps in rural areas. Although my grandmother is no longer alive, I believe that there are still people in rural communities around Nigeria, particularly in high burden states, with limited understanding and awareness of noma disease, what to do to prevent it and the need for timely detection and treatment...
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Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator
Healthcare Information For All
Global Healthcare Information Network
Working in Official Relations with the World Health Organization
20,000 members, 400 supporting organisations, 180 countries, 6 forums, 4 languages
www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org
