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Nigeria Battles Noma: The Forgotten Disease of Poverty
22 Sep
Summary
- Noma, a disfiguring disease, kills most infected children and is linked to poverty.
- Nigeria sees increasing noma cases, with MSF providing free reconstructive surgeries.
- The WHO classifies noma as a neglected tropical disease, needing more attention.
Ibrahim Dalhatu, now 8, contracted noma at age 3, a disease that causes severe facial disfigurement and is often fatal for children. He has undergone multiple reconstructive surgeries at Nigeria's Noma Children Hospital since 2021, with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) providing these multi-stage operations free of charge.
Noma is a rapidly progressing infection originating from gum inflammation in malnourished children, quickly destroying soft tissues and bones. Primarily affecting children aged 2-6 in impoverished environments, early treatment involves antibiotics and improved nutrition, but advanced stages require surgery. MSF's efforts are crucial in tackling this neglected tropical disease.
Classified by the WHO as a neglected tropical disease, noma receives minimal global attention despite its devastating impact. While WHO data from 1998 estimated 140,000 annual cases with a 90% fatality rate, a 2024 study indicated over 50,000 cases in northern Nigeria between 1999 and 2024. The major risk factors are extreme poverty and malnutrition.
Northern Nigeria is experiencing a worrisome trend of increased noma diagnoses, exacerbated by armed violence and economic hardship. Many affected children arrive for treatment late due to a lack of awareness. Between 2023 and 2025, over 500 children were treated at Sokoto's specialist hospital, with hundreds more awaiting critical surgeries.
The disease's rapid tissue destruction necessitates timely intervention. While Ibrahim has largely recovered, others like Maryam Sabiu's 4-year-old son, infected in 2024, face painful waits. The stigma associated with the disease adds to the immense suffering of affected children and their families.
Nigeria reports a high number of noma cases partly due to its specialist hospitals and a government-led response that encourages reporting. However, both the federal and Sokoto state Ministries of Health did not comment on their plans to combat the disease. The country currently has only two noma hospitals, underscoring the critical need for more specialized care.
