In a report released by The Guardian, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has unveiled a nationwide campaign to provide oral healthcare services to three million Nigerians. Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, noted during World Oral Health Day that oral diseases are often overlooked but significantly impact national productivity and child development.
The initiative involves integrating oral health into the existing primary healthcare system, particularly in underserved rural communities. Community health workers are being trained to identify dental issues early and refer them to specialized centers, aiming to bridge the wide gap in dental care access.
ThisDay validated the report, quoting Dr. Abisola Adegoke: “Oral diseases have impacted negatively on children’s growth and adult productivity.” Vanguard also highlighted the collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to tackle “neglected oral diseases” in various geopolitical zones.
Echotitbits take: This is a rare but necessary focus on a “neglected” health sector. Success will depend on the actual deployment of dental kits to the Primary Health Centers (PHCs) rather than just Abuja-based awareness campaigns.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/fg-targets-three-million-nigerians-in-nationwide-oral-health-push/, March 20, 2026
Photo credit: The Punch
