It's Time To Act and Say No To Noma.
President of the No Noma Foundation
Patrons
Your Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentleman,
On behalf of the World Health Organization, it is an honour and a privilege for me to address this distinguished audience who is dedicated to the prevention and control of Noma. This is a poverty-related disease with estimated number of 43000 cases identified to date in 22 Member States of the African region of WHO.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the International Noma Federation, Winds of Hope Foundation particularly it's President Dr Bertrand Pickard, NGOs and partners for the sterling work that you are doing to help those affected by this infirmity. Your commitment and persistence to control Noma is highly commendable.
This is the first time in history that a high level international gathering of such stature focussed on Noma is taking place. The slogan for this historic event - REACT and ACT is aptly chosen. This is because in the 21st Century when there have been significant scientific and technological breakthroughs in health sciences, the world has no excuse to remain passive about this disease that disfigures the faces of its victims beyond recognition. Victims of Noma go through psychological trauma and stigma for the rest of their lives.
It's time to ACT and say NO to Noma.
It is time to put a smile on the faces of these affected helpless children.
Sub Saharan Africa is the epicentre of Noma which is caused by a deficiency of the immune system associated with poverty and malnutrition.
We REACTED and ACTED against Noma and since 2004, our partnership with the Winds of Hope has strengthened WHO's capacity to provide technical and financial support to affected countries.
Considerable progress has been made in terms of strengthening national capacities to fight Noma in 12 affected countries and the gains achieved so far shows what can be accomplished through effective partnerships.
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentleman,
I am delighted to say that our collective efforts have resulted in successive gradual yearly reduction of the incidence of Noma in Niger - an achievement which is being replicated in other countries.
There is the need for continued national and international commitment to tackle this disease.
In this regard, during the forthcoming Regional Committee - in September 2008 which is a gathering of Africa Health Ministers, I will seize the opportunity to urge the Health Ministers in the Region to renew their commitment to eliminate Noma.
The key challenge is getting adequate financial resources and today as we mark the first Noma Day, I call upon all partners, governments, foundations, institutions and individuals to join our efforts to control this disease.
Bearing in mind the relationship between Noma, poverty and malnutrition, as the world faces a new food crisis, we have to exercise stronger solidarity to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; and reduce child mortality. These are amongst the Millennium Development Goals.
It is only through your support that we can prevent and control this disease and avert the high mortality caused by Noma. Lastly, may I again thank the International Noma Foundation, and Winds of Hope for their efforts and we look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership.
Together let us ACT NOW to save the powerless children affected by Noma.
Thank you.