Noma is a devastating gangrenous disease affecting the mouth and face, primarily impacting children aged 2 to 6 living in conditions of extreme poverty and malnutrition, particularly in African countries within the Sahel region. This neglected tropical disease begins with gum inflammation, which, if left untreated, rapidly spreads to destroy facial tissues and bones. The mortality rate associated with Noma is alarmingly high, and survivors often endure severe facial disfigurement and significant disabilities.
For many years, the reconstructive surgery team at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and Professor Emanuele Kabengele’s team at the University of Geneva (UniGe) have been actively combating this disease. The network of stakeholders engaged in Noma prevention and care has consistently leveraged the Geneva Health Forum (GHF) to raise awareness and engage with the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2018, a workshop at the GHF, organized by the Institute of Global Health (UniGe) and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), served as a platform for non-governmental organizations (HUG, Terre des Hommes, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Sentinelles) to exchange experiences in managing Noma. In parallel, the analysis of existing databases provided a more accurate understanding of the disease’s prevalence. The findings revealed that the underreporting of cases within official health systems led to a significant underestimation of Noma’s burden. This work, supported by the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS), was presented during a Geneva Health Forum webinar held on 17 June 2022.
Following these initiatives, Médecins Sans Frontières coordinated an extensive awareness campaign, culminating in the inclusion of Noma on WHO’s list of neglected tropical diseases in December 2023. WHO subsequently committed to developing a comprehensive global strategy to address this condition.
In May 2024, the GHF convened stakeholders in the fight against Noma to identify key elements necessary for structuring this global strategy. The GHF has since become a vital platform for facilitating dialogue on this issue among WHO, field practitioners, and the academic sector.
https://conference2024.genevahealthforum.com/day-3-cc3-the-imperative-to-detect-and-treat-noma
