A look back at the @WHO#WHA77 week, which was incredibly dense, rich and marked by key #oralhealth events, commitments and a major announcement. All of them reflect the growing interest of Member States and stakeholders since the adoption of the #Resolution on Oral Health 2021.
Today marked a powerful moment at FDI headquarters in Geneva as we welcomed the @Elysium_NSA team and had the opportunity to hear from its co-founders Mulikat Okanlawon and Fidel Strub – resilient #health advocates and survivors of #noma. Your courage in shedding light on this issue is inspiring. We stand firmly beside you in raising awareness and taking action👏.
Together, we will make a difference.
Photo credit: Fabrice Caterini / @Inediz
https://t.co/4bCyda7Chs
Surprise!
When I asked if anyone @surgfoundation's #WHA event was on @TIME's list of 100 Most Influential People in global health THREE people stood up.🤯
Fidel Strub & Mulikat Okanlawon co-founders @Elysium_NSA & Prof. Galadanci. What a joy to be in such brilliant company. 🙌
Congratulations to #noma campaigners Mulikat Okanlawon and @FidelStrub - named in @TIME's 100 influential people in global health! @TIMEHealth#TIME100HEALTH
Their awareness-raising contributed to @WHO adding noma to its list of #NTDs 🙌 @Elysium_NSA
📰 https://t.co/5dorbSUR0W
📢What is #noma & what next now that it is officially classed as a Neglected Tropical Disease? Please join @WHO, @Elysium_NSA, Dr Gebretsadik (@euclidint), Ms Elsig (Sentinelles), @Inediz & @ISNTD_Press!
👉https://t.co/QeCyzZWlpQ
👉Apr 18 | 13:00 UTC #NeglectedNoMore
#Noma has all but disappeared in Europe and has largely been forgotten, but in other parts of the world, the disease is still prevalent. It is estimated that more than 140,000 children develop noma every year.
https://t.co/kNS51Fgn43 (image: @Inediz)
One of the biggest barriers to staying motivated and achieving #success is comparing your progress with others. Remember, not everyone starts from the same place, and we all face different #challenges. What success looks like can vary greatly. So, concentrate on your own goals and don't let comparisons get you down.
.@WHO has officially recognized noma as a neglected tropical disease. Noma, a rapidly progressing gangrenous disease of the mouth & face, affects the most vulnerable. This recognition will accelerate an integrated approach to addressing noma in the region.
https://t.co/iWxdFVITpd
Turning to the future, following the @WHO landmark recognition of #noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease, @DrChristou@MSF steps up the advocacy towards galvanising partnerships and resource mobilisation to accelerate research and programming to tackle noma
As #noma, the "Face of Poverty", is recognised as a Neglected tropical Disease by @WHO, @HilfsaktionNoma celebrates a boost to visibility and awareness of this disease and those affected https://t.co/QII44kbRLI
Partnerships with champions of global #oralhealth are key to the prevention of #noma: Dr Joel Rosenbloom of the @UofTDentistry and Noma Action Group reflects upon what @WHO's recognition of #noma as a NTD means for affected persons https://t.co/viXqtT0sB9
The recent announcement by @WHO to officially recognise #noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease is celebrated by numerous long-term advocates including Fondation Sentinelles! https://t.co/mmxRVdesKF
We’ve got news!
Noma is more than a disease, it is a social marker of extreme poverty and malnutrition, affecting the most vulnerable populations- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Noma is an orofacial gangrene affecting malnourished children and mainly observed in tropical countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.although cases have also been reported in the Americas and Asia.
There are multiple risk factors associated with this disease, including poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, infections, and extreme poverty. Noma isn't contagious but tends to strike when the body's defenses are down.
Early detection is essential, as therapy is most effective at the early stages of disease when it causes severe swollen gums, known as acute necrotizing gingivitis. Treatment involves antibiotics, advice and support on practices to improve oral hygiene with disinfectant mouthwash (salt water or chlorhexidine could be used) and nutritional supplements.
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health spearheaded action to have noma included in the list of NTDs. In January 2023, an official request was submitted to WHO on behalf of 32 Member States.