Adding Noma

African oral health are mounting a campaign to persuade the WHO to add the disease Noma to the list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Noma (cancrum oris) is a gangrene that destroys the mouth’s mucus membranes and rapidly spreads to other parts of the face. The disorder occurs most often in severely malnourished children ages 2–5.

If it isn’t treated, it leads to death in 70–90% of cases.

The initiative is led by Oral Health Advocacy Initiative executive director Ver-or Ngutor, who pointed to the 69th World Health Assembly’s approval of a resolution recognizing mycetoma as an NTD.
Daily Trust (Nigeria) via AllAfrica