The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health Senator Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo commemorates the National NOMA Day by reflecting on the significance of the 2024 National Oral Health Week. In a statement, is deeply honoured to lend her voice and support to the critical reminder of our shared responsibility to address the devastating impacts of NOMA, a disease that continues to ravage the lives of vulnerable children, particularly those trapped in the cycle of malnutrition.
NOMA is not merely a medical issue; it is a societal call to action. It demands that we tackle its root causes—extreme poverty, chronic malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare—through targeted and collaborative interventions. The commissioning of the NOMA Treatment Center on November 22, 2023, where I had the privilege of representing the President of the Senate, stands as a milestone in our fight toward addressing this preventable disease.
Today, we are gathered again to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives like the NOMA eradication efforts, advancing oral health awareness, and ensuring accessible and equitable healthcare. I commend the Federal Ministry of Health, the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and our development partners for their unwavering dedication to this cause. Through initiatives such as stakeholder engagement forums, capacity-building for health workers, and nutrition policy reviews, we are laying the groundwork to ensure sustainable solutions. Efforts to promote oral health awareness and expand access to life-saving treatments, such as the upgrade of facilities like the Federal College of Dental Technology in Enugu and many more, represent the strides that will undoubtedly improve oral health outcomes for all Nigerians.
As we observe this day, I urge us all to renew our focus on collaboration. Our collective success relies on partnerships—between government, health professionals, civil society, and communities—to build a health system that leaves no one behind. This is especially critical for children, who are the most affected by NOMA. Looking ahead, the National Assembly remains committed to legislative support for health initiatives, including increasing domestic budgets for health, advancing primary healthcare systems, and increasing allocations for universal health coverage that captures our most vulnerable groups including our children, while ensuring accountability frameworks that deliver measurable results. We must continue to prioritize interventions that integrate oral health into our national healthcare agenda, recognizing that oral health is integral to overall health.
In conclusion, let today’s commemoration inspire us to push forward. Let us continue to champion policies and programs that prioritize prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care to ensure that NOMA becomes a disease of the past. Together, we can create a Nigeria where NOMA no longer claims lives, oral health awareness is universal, and every child has a chance at a healthier and brighter future.
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