Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has trained 200 staff members, community engagers, and volunteers of the ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) on the prevention, early detection, and referral of Noma cases in Sokoto State.
The two-day training, held from September 22 to 23, 2026, in Sokoto, was organized by the Health Promotion Unit of MSF for AIF personnel working across Sokoto North, Sokoto South, and Wamakko Local Government Areas.
Speaking during the training, MSF Medical Team Lead in Sokoto, Florencia Maghanga, commended AIF for supporting the identification and referral of suspected Noma cases to the Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto.
Maghanga said early detection was important in preventing the disease from progressing, adding that delays in identifying and referring suspected cases could have serious consequences.
“Early identification and timely referral are critical. Prevention remains the best approach, and this requires community awareness, early recognition, and prompt referral,” she said.
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She said the training was designed to equip frontline workers with practical knowledge to identify possible Noma cases and guide affected individuals to appropriate health facilities for further assessment and treatment.
Speaking on behalf of AIF, the foundation’s Head of Programmes and Research, Rufus Yagkong, appreciated MSF for strengthening the capacity of its staff and community volunteers.
Yagkong said the training would improve the ability of AIF personnel to contribute to Noma prevention and ensure suspected cases receive timely attention.
“The knowledge gained from this training will strengthen the capacity of our staff, community engagers, and volunteers to contribute more effectively to Noma prevention, early detection, and referral,” he said.
He added that AIF would integrate Noma prevention and awareness into its existing programs across the state.
According to him, the foundation would use its community structures and field presence to increase awareness, promote early recognition of the disease, and encourage timely referral of suspected cases.
Yagkong said the collaboration with MSF demonstrated AIF’s commitment to working with relevant organisations and stakeholders to improve humanitarian and development interventions and health outcomes among vulnerable communities in Sokoto State.
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