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Research: The Geneva-based foundation GESNOMA, funded by the Hirzel foundation, conducted an etiological study in Niger to determine if the disease may be caused by a specific bacterial or viral agent. It has not yet reached any conclusions;
Epidemiological surveillance: The only statistics available were established over ten years ago by the WHO and updated with observations made by NGOs on site. New studies are necessary;
Awareness campaigns in the poorest villages are being conducted by NGOs that are in direct contact with the local populations;
The fight against malnutrition led by various international organizations is insufficient to eradicate Noma. The NGO Antenna Technologies has attempted to distribute spirulina and lucerne in Niger. In Mali, the NGO Au Fil de la Vie will be undertaking a project to produce and distribute spirulina;
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Training of Health care workers and traditional practitioners, to detect the first symptoms of Noma at the stage where children can still be saved. It is at this level that Winds of Hope intervenes;
Early detection: Through the action of Winds of Hope, Health care workers must be trained to detect Noma early;
Primary health care: Health care workers or traditional practitioners must be capable of administering primary health care sufficiently early at health care centers once the diagnosis has been properly posed. Currently, cases are mainly handled by the NGOs;
Reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation are the only means that can still improve the lives of Noma victims who were unable to be treated in time.
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