By Julian Osamoto
The Noma Centre at the National Hospital, Abuja, says it has performed 457 complex reconstructive surgeries on children affected by noma since its establishment, with all treatments provided free of charge.
National Coordinator of the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative, Dr Charles Ononiwu, disclosed this in Abuja, during the 2026 Oral Health Week, Noma Day and Scientific Conference.
While revealing that the centre had managed 321 patients and currently had more than 80 children receiving care, said it also performed 208 surgeries in 2026 alone, maintaining an average of 82 patients in its facility each month.
Dr Ononiwu warned that noma could cause devastating facial destruction within a week if left untreated, urging parents to seek immediate medical attention when children complain of mouth pain, particularly those aged between two and six years.
“Make sure you maintain good oral hygiene for your children. If your child complains of pain in the mouth, please look for a hospital immediately,” he advised.
He identified poor oral hygiene, severe malnutrition and weakened immunity as factors that predispose children to the disease, emphasising that early treatment could prevent the extensive tissue damage associated with advanced cases.
The surgeon also explained that early treatment could involve basic antibiotics and adequate feeding, while reconstructive surgery for advanced cases could cost between seven and 10 million naira.
He therefore urged families, healthcare workers and members of the public to report suspected cases through NANI’s toll-free line, assuring them that the initiative would arrange treatment, transportation and hospital bills for affected children.
On the centre’s treatment capacity, Dr Ononiwu affirmed it provides comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, including plastic surgeons, ear, nose and throat specialists, paediatricians, clinical psychologists as well as other healthcare professionals.
Beyond surgical treatment, Dr Ononiwu said the centre provided basic education, psychological support and vocational training for children and their parents during treatment, which could last several months, while revealing that it also receives patients from other African countries, including Mozambique and Burundi.
He noted that the initiative also supported families with business equipment and resources to establish small businesses, helping them overcome poverty and reduce the risk of further noma cases.
“The centre provided direct social assistance to 57 severe cases, enrolled 132 pupils in educational programmes, and empowered 143 participants through specialised skill acquisition classes during 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has unveiled a ₦70 billion five-year National Strategic Plan for Oral Health (2026–2030), as the World Health Organisation (WHO) called for the integration of noma prevention, early detection and referral into primary healthcare to reduce avoidable deaths and permanent facial disfigurement among children.
The Minister of State for Health, Adekunle Salako, said State and Local Governments would provide 49 per cent of the funding, 30 per cent from the Federal Government, while development partners gives the remaining 21 per cent
Also, the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, called for stronger community-based prevention and early detection to reduce the number of Nigerian children affected by noma.
Adebiyi made the call while delivering a memorial lecture titled A Legacy of Healing and Hope: Celebrating a Life of Dedication to Children Affected by Noma, at the conference.
She called for noma awareness to be incorporated into school curricula and urged Nigerians to end discrimination against survivors.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Tope Adeyemi, acknowledged the association’s involvement in efforts to improve oral healthcare in the country.
The conference, organised by the Noma Centre Abuja in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, brought together key decision-makers to highlight progress in patient care, surgical interventions and public health advocacy across the country.
The memorial lecture honoured the late Mama Ute Winkler Stumpf (1943–2020), founder of Hilfsaktion NOMA E.V., whose work supported the treatment and rehabilitation of children affected by noma.
The World Health Organisation WHO, defined NOMA as a severe infection that primarily affects malnourished children and can rapidly destroy facial tissues. Early detection and treatment can prevent its devastating consequences.
