By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Government has announced renewed efforts to strengthen oral healthcare services nationwide and eliminate the deadly disease known as noma, under its universal health coverage initiative.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2025 National Oral Health Week and Noma Awareness Day, held alongside a scientific workshop.

Dr. Salako described oral health as a critical yet often neglected aspect of public health, noting that millions of Nigerians — particularly children and the elderly — continue to suffer from preventable oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers. He stressed that oral health significantly impacts nutrition, communication, learning, productivity, and overall quality of life.

Citing the World Health Organization’s position that “no health without oral health,” the minister noted that oral diseases remain the most widespread non-communicable diseases globally, affecting nearly half of the world’s population and posing significant social and economic burdens.

Speaking on noma — a rapidly progressing facial infection that primarily affects malnourished children — Dr. Salako highlighted its devastating consequences. He described the disease as a “medical emergency closely linked to poverty, poor oral hygiene, undernutrition, and weak surveillance,” adding that northern Nigeria remains one of the most affected regions worldwide.

“It is unacceptable that any child in our country should suffer irreversible disfigurement or die from a disease that is both preventable and treatable,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the government is integrating oral health services into primary healthcare facilities. As part of reforms to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), additional resources will be directed toward providing oral healthcare for vulnerable populations.

He revealed plans to upgrade dental facilities, deploy more dental professionals to primary health centres, and intensify training for community health workers, traditional birth attendants, and frontline healthcare providers on early detection, referral, and treatment of oral diseases and noma.

Dr. Salako also underscored the importance of continuous professional development in the dental sector, including participation in international training programmes focused on sugar reduction in diets, environmental sustainability in dentistry, and preventive oral care.

According to him, the establishment of the Noma Centre in Abuja and the Noma Children’s Hospital in Sokoto — where treatment and rehabilitation are provided free of charge — reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to combating the disease.

He added that Nigeria is strengthening collaboration with global partners, NGOs, and other stakeholders to improve case surveillance, diagnosis, and timely interventions.

Beyond medical response, Dr. Salako called for an “all-of-society approach” to fighting noma, linking the effort to broader development issues such as nutrition, water and sanitation, housing, immunization, and maternal and child health.

He urged state governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to support initiatives aimed at health equity and disease prevention.

“Let us build a future where no Nigerian child is lost to a preventable disease and where every citizen can smile without pain or shame,” he said.

Dr. Salako concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening oral healthcare services, expanding noma awareness, advancing maxillofacial research, and ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of improved dental health and social dignity.