– WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Wednesday called for increased attention to oral health in Africa, where 42% of the population suffers from oral diseases.
In a message marking the World Oral Health Day 2025, acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated the importance of prioritising oral health.
Oral diseases, such as dental caries, gum disease, and tooth loss, have severe consequences, including disfigurement, stigma, and death. The region also struggles with noma, a gangrenous disease affecting young children.
WHO has endorsed the Regional Oral Health Strategy and the Global Strategy on Oral Health. Several countries, including Lesotho, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, have developed oral health policy documents, while others have trained healthcare workers and strengthened surveillance systems.
Dr Ihekweazu said despite the progress, the region lags behind in key oral health indicators, with only 17% of the population having access to essential oral health care services.
He noted that at the global level, the seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (WHA74) in 2021 recognised oral health as a core part of the NCD agenda and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This led to the endorsement of the Global Strategy on Oral Health (WHA75) and the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030 (WHA76), which includes a monitoring framework.
WHO urges governments, stakeholders, and individuals to work together to accelerate implementation of the Global Oral Health Action Plan.
“This requires engaging multi sectoral stakeholders, securing funding, integrating oral health services into national benefits packages, and using a people-centered approach. By working together, we can achieve better oral health outcomes and improve overall well-being,” he said.