Noma: National hospital performs 457 free surgeries

Since the Noma Centre at the National Hospital in Abuja began operating, it has conducted 457 reconstructive surgeries on children suffering from the disease, all of which were provided free of charge. Dr Charles Ononiwu, the National Coordinator of the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative, revealed these statistics during a 2026 Oral Health Week, Noma Day and Scientific Conference held in Abuja, as reported by a statement issued on Tuesday.

Ononiwu informed that the center has treated 321 patients and currently has over 80 children receiving care, with 208 surgeries performed in 2026 alone. The facility saw an average of 82 patients each month, emphasizing that its interventions have helped numerous children who would otherwise struggle to afford expensive reconstructive procedures.

Ononiwu warned that noma, a rapidly advancing disease that damages facial tissues, can cause severe damage within a week if left untreated. He urged parents to be vigilant for signs of mouth pain in children, especially those aged between two and six years, and to seek immediate medical attention. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, severe malnutrition, and weakened immunity predispose children to the disease, but early diagnosis and treatment can prevent extensive tissue destruction. The cost of reconstructive surgery for advanced cases ranges from N7 million to N10 million.

The center provides comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team, including plastic surgeons, ear, nose, and throat specialists, pediatricians, clinical psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. In addition to medical interventions, the facility offers basic education, psychological support, and vocational training to affected children and their parents, with treatment durations lasting several months.

The initiative also extends its support to families in other African countries like Mozambique and Burundi, offering economic assistance to vulnerable families by providing business equipment and resources to establish small enterprises.

The Federal Government has launched a N70bn five-year National Strategic Plan for Oral Health (2026–2030) to improve access to oral healthcare, strengthen preventive services, and tackle diseases like noma. The funding will be shared among the three levels of government and development partners, with state and local governments contributing 49 percent each, the Federal Government 30 percent, and development partners 21 percent.

The plan aims to integrate oral healthcare into primary healthcare services, enhance early diagnosis, and expand treatment access, particularly for vulnerable populations. The World Health Organisation has advocated for integrating noma prevention, early detection, and referral services into primary healthcare, emphasizing the need to equip frontline health workers to identify the disease before irreversible damage occurs.