Underreported disease killing Nigerians more than Ebola, Lassa fever

August 22, 2020, 6:52 am

While Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries battle different kinds of virus infections and diseases, there are still other existing and emerging diseases that is silently recording colossal human mortality. One of such is Noma disease, which has silently been killing more Nigerians than Lassa fever and Ebola combined. ROLAND OBY OGBONNAYA looks at the efforts being made by governments and non-governmental organisations to battle Noma, known as poor man disease, to a halt and save more lives

John grew up recognising his mother looks different from other women in the community. Growing up as an innocent boy, John was often embarrassed and humiliated by children including adults because of the looks of his mother. As he grew more elderly, he realised that his mother’s condition could be treated though it was expensive and could solely be done in the city. Armed with this new knowl­edge, John made a promise to himself and to his mother that he was going to work hard to be able to pay for her surgery.

He desired nothing but a tra­ditional look for his mother. He wanted her to look like the other women in the community and stop the people from embarrass­ing his family. It was during one of his typical routines at the city centre that John came in contact with the Oral Health Advocacy Initiative (OHAI) experienced team of community mobilisers and volunteers who were promot­ing public awareness for dental and oral health including noma, cleft lip and palate surgeries in Gombe State

But on Tuesday, Sofia Richie looked like she had other things on her mind as she stepped out in Los Angeles.

The star, 21, flaunted her flat midriff in a light blue crop top with matching leggings for her afternoon outing. 

Stepping out: Sofia Richie looked like she had other things on her mind as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon

The blonde beauty showcased her sculpted midsection in a long-sleeved light blue cropped shirt.

She added high-waisted leggings in the same color, adding white socks and Givenchy black and white slides; she later opted to take off the socks.