NGO unveils NOMA treatment centre in FCT

By Hassan Zaggi
Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative (NANI), a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), has concluded plans to officially declare open a centre dedicated to the treatment of NOMA disease.
NOMA, a life-threatening and devastating disease primarily affects the mouth and face of children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, especially those living in poor households.
A statement made available to The AUTHORITY disclosed that the centre which is christened NOMA Centre Abuja will be unveiled on NOMA Day in a grand style with dignitaries from the government, NGOs and the private sector in attendance..
NANI with support from German Hilfsaktion Noma eV; is working with the Ministry of Health to construct the 80-bed treatment centre within the grounds of the National Hospital in Abuja.
Funding for the centre, according to the statement, comes, from small donations from people in Germany and Austria.
The grand opening of the Noma Centre Abuja marks a significant step in NANI’s commitment to supporting the government to eliminate Noma disease in Nigeria.
Located centrally for easy access in Abuja, the purpose-built treatment centre is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments to perform reconstructive surgeries and provide a comprehensive and specialised environment for the rehabilitation of Noma patients.
The services will be provided to patients free of charge. The needs of the children were central in the construction of the centre, with open spaces to enable the children to rest and recover and playgrounds so that they feel at home. They will be able to stay at the centre for the duration of their treatment, which can take months.
The statement quoted the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, as saying that: “Our whole-of-society approach to improving population health means quality care for every condition affecting Nigerians’.
“Noma disease remains a burden in low- and middle-income countries, especially those along the Noma belt including Nigeria. The Renewed Hope agenda is also about restoring the dignity of people. Not only are you treating, but you are restoring the dignity of the patient.”
On the other hand, Dr. Charles Ononiwu, NANI’s National Coordinator, who heads the new centre, said: “The dignity of every child matters to us, so we expect to create an environment where the children will not only be treated through highly skilled reconstructive surgeries, but also where they can have a loving and caring environment in which every member of staff will be involved in their recovery and rehabilitation journey.”
The Noma Centre Abuja, the statement further explained, will be staffed by a team of highly trained surgeons and healthcare professionals who are committed to delivering the highest standard of care.
The Centre will also offer various services to support patients in their recovery journey, including physiotherapy and counselling.
NANI will conduct community outreach programmes to raise awareness about Noma disease, promote early detection, and provide education on preventive measures.
‘’The Noma Centre Abuja is a good initiative that should be supported by all, that is why the National Hospital and the Federal Ministry of Health provided land because it will be a very big relief by the time this is done for all those suffering from noma’’. Prof Muhammad Raji Mahmud, Chief Medical Director, National Hospital Abuja.
The opening ceremony will also include a tour of the facility, speeches by key stakeholders, and a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official inauguration of the Noma Centre Abuja.