African Ministers Pledge Stronger Action Against Widespread Oral Diseases

African ministers of health have endorsed a new regional framework aimed at accelerating action against oral diseases, which affect an estimated 42% of people across the continent.

The agreement was adopted during the 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, held this week in Lusaka. The framework sets ambitious targets: by 2028, at least half of every country’s population should have access to essential oral health services, the prevalence of major oral diseases should fall by 10%, and 60% of African countries should have national oral health policies with dedicated budgets and staff. In addition, countries where noma is endemic are urged to integrate the disease into their national health strategies.

“Oral disease has been largely neglected, making it among the most prevalent health challenges in our region,” said Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our efforts to address this threat need to be robust, concerted, and sustained. The framework agreed today highlights the urgent need for countries to prioritize oral health, ensuring adequate financing, workforce and leadership.”

The initiative stresses that oral health must be treated as a fundamental part of universal health coverage. WHO, with partner support, is already working with governments to scale up services through advocacy, training, and technical assistance. In Mauritius, for example, tax on toothpaste has been abolished to make fluoride products more affordable. Meanwhile, more than 14,000 health workers have completed WHO oral health training courses, equipping them to promote oral health, detect problems early, and refer patients for treatment. Fourteen countries are also leading efforts to secure WHO recognition of noma as a neglected tropical disease.

The framework lays out five priority actions for member states: strengthening leadership and financing, adopting national oral health policies, integrating oral health into essential health service packages, expanding access to medicines and preventive measures, and addressing workforce shortages through approaches such as task-sharing.

Despite the scale of the problem, spending on oral health in Africa remains extremely low. According to WHO, more than 70% of countries spent less than US$1 per capita on oral health in 2019, compared to a global average of US$50. Preventive care is especially underfunded, with only four African nations having fluoride guidelines in place last year. The region also suffers from a severe shortage of oral health professionals, just 3.7 per 100,000 people, far below the estimated 13.3 required to meet current needs.

To turn the framework into reality, ministers pledged to strengthen political commitment, mobilize both domestic and international resources, and ensure adequate human and logistical support.

“The endorsement of this framework marks a turning point,” Dr. Janabi said. “If we can close the gaps in financing, access, and prevention, millions of Africans will be spared the pain and stigma of preventable oral diseases.”