NOMA, a severe disease that affects
the face and it is silently spreading in
Nigeria. Studies carried out last two
years have revealed that about
126,000 Nigerians die from NOMA
disease every year.
Although it is relatively unknown, the
disease has been plaguing lives
especially of people in the North.
Victoria Nkong, the coordinator of the
campaign against NOMA disease,
explains the symptoms as initial sore
or rash inside the mouth of a victim,
which if left untreated gradually grows
and in the process, part of the face is
eaten up with gangrene. She says
that in extreme cases, the disease
eats its way into the heart and vital
organs of the victim’s body leading to
death.”
Although most of the cases of NOMA
disease can be found in the Northern
part of the country, we have recorded
a few cases in Lagos and in most of
those cases, due to ignorance about
the disease, people brand the victims
as accursed people or demons. NOMA
disease is prevalent among the poor
and it is caused by acute malnutrition.
Children and young people from the
ages of two to seven years are mostly
affected but in rare cases, adults can
fall victims. If detected early, it can be
treated with common antibiotics but
when it is left untreated, the disease
eats out the whole face, at which
point the victim will have to undergo a
very expensive corrective surgery,”
says Nkong.
Nkong emphasises the existence and
spread of the disease in the country,
urging sufferers to get treatment and
possibly surgery.
“Most medical practitioners in Nigeria
do not know about NOMA but this is a
disease that kills faster than AIDS and
the level of ignorance about it in
Nigeria is alarming. Since it mostly
affects the poor people, it is cheaper
to treat at the early stages. A poor
man living below N100 a day cannot
be expected to raise £40,000 needed
for corrective surgery and the medical
budget from the Federal Government
cannot adequately take care of such
expenses. So it is very important for
people to undergo proper screening
and tests to tackle the disease before
it get to the maturity stage.”

Is this an African disease? Please, more research for vaccines against such diseases.

JESUS

Also called chancrum oris, it is a very serious disease that can affect the patient and relatives physically, psychologically and socially....

I have seen one case here in ilorin, quite pathetic.... Easy to prevent, difficult to treat...

This is the main reason why a balanced diet, proper oral hygiene and prompt treatment of sores cannot be over-emphasized....

This should make homepage so that people can become aware.