He, nonetheless, emphasised that nationwide commitments should translate into coordinated motion throughout federal, state, native authorities and group ranges.
Highlighting MSF’s longstanding partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Sokoto State Ministry of Health on the Noma Children’s Hospital, Aldikhari mentioned the organisation had supported complete remedy for individuals affected by the disease since 2014.
The interventions embrace inpatient remedy for acute noma, main facial reconstructive surgical procedures, oral physiotherapy, dietary help, group engagement, well being promotion, and psychological well being and psychosocial companies.
According to him, the partnership has facilitated greater than 1,759 main reconstructive surgical procedures for 1,174 sufferers by means of 35 surgical missions over the previous decade.
Aldikhari disclosed that in 2026 alone, MSF carried out 114 surgical procedures for 96 sufferers. Aldikhari additionally disclosed that 28 Nigerian surgeons and 14 anaesthetists had acquired coaching from worldwide specialists, as a part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s capability to present high quality remedy for noma sufferers.
Despite the progress, he warned that early detection should stay central to Nigeria’s response as a result of noma can progress quickly, inflicting extreme tissue harm, facial disfigurement and doubtlessly loss of life when not recognized and handled promptly.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has renewed its dedication to eliminating noma and increasing entry to high quality oral healthcare, with the launch of a six-12 months strategic plan aimed toward strengthening prevention, early analysis and remedy throughout the nation.
The National Oral Health Strategic Plan (2026–2031), unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, seeks to combine oral healthcare into main healthcare companies, improve entry for weak populations and handle the rising burden of oral ailments, notably noma, which predominantly impacts malnourished kids in underserved communities.
Speaking on the commemoration of the 2026 Oral Health Week, National Noma Day and Scientific Conference on Monday in Abuja, themed ‘Integrating Noma into Primary Healthcare: From Comprehensive Management to Prevention’, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described the initiative as a decisive shift from standard healing dentistry to a prevention-pushed strategy.
Salako mentioned the framework was developed by means of in depth consultations with the Nigerian Dental Association and different stakeholders, with emphasis on well being promotion, early detection and expanded entry to oral healthcare.
He famous that noma, a quickly progressive and doubtlessly deadly disease that destroys facial tissues, usually begins as a easy gum an infection however could cause devastating problems inside days if not detected and handled promptly.
The Senate Committee on Health additionally pledged legislative and monetary help for the nationwide marketing campaign, stressing that noma was totally preventable and treatable when detected early.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, mentioned the National Assembly was dedicated to strengthening main healthcare companies and making certain that oral well being turned an integral element of routine healthcare supply.
It disclosed that funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund had been elevated from one to two per cent to strengthen frontline well being companies and group-stage interventions.
The committee recognized the Noma Children’s Hospital in Sokoto, the Intercountry Centre in Jos and the continued retrofitting of dental centres throughout federal college instructing hospitals as crucial elements of the nationwide response.
