Nigeria Targets Three Million in Oral Health Initiative

The Nigerian government has launched a nationwide initiative to improve oral healthcare access for at least three million Nigerians by 2026, as part of a campaign coinciding with World Oral Health Day. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziak Salako, highlighted the serious threat posed by oral diseases, which are often overlooked in national development.

The campaign, themed "Happy Mouth, Happy Life," aims to encourage Nigerians to adopt preventive oral health practices. Salako disclosed that the government is integrating oral healthcare into the primary healthcare system to enhance access, particularly in underserved communities.

This initiative includes training community health workers to identify and refer serious oral health conditions. Partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and Médecins Sans Frontières are underway to tackle neglected oral diseases.

The Nigerian Dental Association has already reached 2.4 million citizens through outreach programs, with a goal to educate three million people on oral health practices by the end of the year.