In a pivotal step towards addressing one of the world’s most unrecognized health challenges, the World Health Organization today announced the inclusion of noma (oral cancer or gangrenous stomatitis) on its official list of neglected tropical diseases, the World Health Organization revealed.
This resolution, recommended by the 17th meeting of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD), reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to expanding health services to include the world’s most vulnerable populations.
The World Health Organization indicated, in a new statement, that it is an acute gangrenous disease that affects the mouth and face, and primarily affects young children who suffer from malnutrition (aged between 2 and 6 years) in areas suffering from extreme poverty. It begins as an infection in the Gum disease, which if not treated early, spreads rapidly to destroy facial tissues and bones, often leading to death, and survivors suffer from severe deformities.
Accurately estimating the number of cases is challenging due to the rapid progression of the disease and the stigma associated with it, which contributes to many cases being left undiagnosed. Most noma cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa, although cases have been reported in the Americas and Asia.
Evidence suggests that noma is caused by bacteria found in the mouth. There are multiple risk factors associated with this disease, including poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, a weak immune system, infections, and extreme poverty. Noma is not contagious but strikes people when the body’s defenses are down. Low.
Early detection is essential, as treatment is most effective in the early stages of the disease when it causes severe swelling of the gums, known as acute necrotizing gingivitis. Treatment includes antibiotics, advice and support on improved oral hygiene practices using antiseptic mouthwash (can be used (salt water or chlorhexidine) and nutritional supplements. If diagnosed during the early stages of the disease, treatment can result in proper wound healing without long-term consequences, but in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Children who survive are more likely to suffer from The gangrenous stage of the disease results in severe facial disfigurement, they have difficulty eating and speaking, they face social stigma and isolation, and they need reconstructive surgery.
“Noma is not just a disease, it is a social marker of extreme poverty and malnutrition, affecting the most vulnerable populations,” WHO emphasized.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, continued, “By classifying noma as a neglected tropical disease, we are highlighting a condition that has plagued marginalized communities for centuries, and we are committed to working with affected countries and communities to address the causes of noma and alleviate suffering.” The recognition of nomadic disease as a neglected disease in areas aims to raise global awareness, stimulate research, stimulate funding, and strengthen efforts to control the disease through multi-sectoral and multi-pronged approaches. Interventions that address the burden of this devastating disease will contribute to achieving Universal health coverage, because it will specifically target underserved populations.
Noma is often managed through oral health programs in endemic areas and collaboration with neglected tropical disease programs can be strengthened at the operational level, particularly by integrating noma into activities aimed at skin detection and management, WHO said. – Related neglected tropical diseases (skin neglected tropical diseases).
The Government of Nigeria led the effort to include noma eating disease on the list of neglected tropical diseases, and in January 2023, a formal application was submitted to WHO on behalf of 32 Member States, which was supported by a detailed dossier highlighting the burden and distribution of noma eating disease and providing evidence Which demonstrates that criteria set by the World Health Organization are met, and many partner institutions have contributed by sharing information and doing advocacy.
2023-12-17 15:07:00
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