* The conference will be accessible in English and French * La conférence sera accessible en anglais et en français * Voir le texte en français ci-dessous *
Introduction
An online conference to raise the profile of a neglected disease. Health systems are facing many challenges globally. Some, like COVID-19, receive massive attention from media, research institutes and policy makers, while other diseases which have been around for centuries remain neglected. One of these is noma, a devastating disease of poverty, and we believe the time is right to defeat it by increasing awareness and partnerships.
This online event is designed for the global Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) community: researchers, medical practitioners, donors, health focused humanitarian and development organisations, and UN representatives. It is organised by Médecins Sans Frontières in partnership with the International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD), Winds of Hope / International NoNoma Federation and Inediz.
Une conférence en ligne pour attirer l’attention sur une maladie negligée. Les systèmes de santé sont confrontés à de nombreux défis à l'échelle mondiale. Certaines maladies ou infections, comme le Covid-19, reçoivent une grande attention de la part des médias, des instituts de recherche et des décideurs politiques, tandis que d'autres maladies qui existent depuis des siècles restent négligées. L'une d'entre elles est le noma, une maladie dévastatrice, et nous pensons qu'il est possible de l’enrayer grâce à la sensibilisation.
Cet événement en ligne est conçu à destination de la communauté mondiale des Maladies Tropicales Négligées (MTN) : chercheurs, médecins, donateurs, organisations humanitaires ou de développement spécialisées dans la santé, et représentants des Nations Unies. Il est organisé par Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) en partenariat avec la Société Internationale des Maladies Tropicales Négligées (ISNTD), Winds of Hope / Fédération NoNoma et Inediz.
Programme
Welcome & host
Marianne Comparet - ISNTD Director and co-founder
12:00 - PART 1: WHAT IS NOMA?
Surviving noma
Short documentary directed by Claire Jeantet and Fabrice Catérini - Inediz
12:30 - PART 2: A GLOBAL ISSUE
Short message
Dr Osagie Ehanire - The Honourable Minister of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria
A story about noma, an old companion of mankind
Dr Klaas W. Marck - Plastic surgeon and Chairman of the former Dutch Noma Foundation
The hidden face of noma in Laos
Dr Leila Srour - Pediatrician and Principal Member of ‘The Noma Project’
Update from Burkina Faso
Dr Rose Drabo - Head of the Oral Health Department and the National Noma Control Program, Ministry of Health, Burkina Faso
Dr Rose Drabo provides an update about the National Noma Control Programme in Burkina Faso and the prevalence of the disease in the country.
PANEL DISCUSSION 1: Eradicating noma through SDGs and the 2030 NTD roadmap
with Julian Fischer (Researcher, Charité-Universitätsmedizin) and Kamran Rafiq (ISNTD Co-Founder & Communications Director)
13:30 - PART 3: THE BURDEN OF NOMA
Short message
Dr Bertrand Piccard - Co-founder of the International NoNoma Federation, Psychiatrist, Explorer and Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation
Dr Bertrand Piccard recounts his first experience with noma and shares his recommendations for the way forward to achieve global recognition for noma.
Mulikat’s story
Mulikat Okanlawon - Noma advocate and Hygiene Officer at the Noma Hospital in Sokoto
Twenty years ago, Mulikat Okanlawon went to Sokoto (Nigeria) seeking medical care. She now works with other noma survivors and shares a message of hope.
Noma: burden, realities and framing
Dr Ioana Cismas - Project co-coordinator ‘The Noma Project’ / York Law School & Centre for Applied Human Rights
Dr Ioana Cismas presents preliminary results of the study ‘Noma, The Neglected Disease. An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Its Realities, Burden, and Framing.’
PANEL DISCUSSION 2: Neglected among the neglected: the paradox of noma
Pr Emmanuel Kabengele Mpinga (Institute of Global Health, Universite de Geneve & Project coordinator ‘The Noma Project’) and Dr Ioana Cismas (York Law School & Centre for Applied Human Rights 7 Project co-coordinator ‘The Noma Project’)
14:40 - PART 4: PREVENTING & TREATING
Short message
Dr Christos Christou - International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Dr Christos Christou, International President of MSF, explains the need for a patient-centred approach and calls on the WHO to include noma in its list of NTDs.
The holistic approach of MSF
Dr Bukola Oluyide - Deputy Medical Coordinator Nigeria, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Dr Bukola Oluyide describes MSF’s holistic approach to supporting noma patients and the Sokoto Noma Hospital, run by the Nigerian Ministry of Health.
The challenges of reconstructive surgery
Dr Issa Hamady - Plastic surgeon and Medical Director of the Noma Hospital in Niamey, Niger, Hilfsaktion Noma e.V.
Collaborating with pioneers in the field for more than twenty years, Dr Issa Hamady explains the specific challenges of facial reconstruction for noma patients.
Chronological perspective of the WHO approach in the fight against noma
Dr Yuka Makino - Technical Officer, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa
Dr Yuka Makino recounts global and regional milestones of WHO action in efforts to tackle noma, since its recognition as a public health issue in 1994.
PANEL DISCUSSION 3: The way forward to prevent and treat in the time of COVID-19
with Dr Mohana Amirtharajah (Surgery Advisor, MSF) and Mathis Winckler (Head of Projects, Hilfsaktion Noma e.V.)
The International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases
