LASUTH advocates increased awareness on asthma

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has urged greater public education about the signs of asthma and enhanced availability of treatments, especially inhalers, aiming to improve management of the disease and lessen its impact on people and their households.

Dr. Oluwafemi Ojo, the Deputy Director of Clinical Services at LASUTH, made this statement during an event organized by the hospital’s Respiratory Unit in partnership with Ikeja Local Government Area for World Asthma Day on Tuesday in Lagos.

Globally, World Asthma Day is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May to increase understanding about asthma and encourage better control over this long-term lung condition.

The theme for this year, "Ensure Accessibility of Inhalation Therapies for EVERYONE," highlights the critical necessity for fair access to vital asthma treatments.

Noteworthy, Ojo, a consulting pulmonologist, highlighted that asthma impacts more than 300 million individuals globally and leads to over 450,000 fatalities each year.

In Nigeria alone, more than 20 million individuals suffer from this condition.

He mentioned that asthma considerably affects the physical health, economic status, and emotional balance of both patients and their families.

He pointed out that one significant hurdle is the expensive and scarce supply of inhalers, which has been exacerbated by prominent pharmaceutical firms withdrawing from Nigeria’s market.

To tackle this issue, the Federal Government needs to establish an favorable atmosphere for domestic pharmaceutical firms to manufacture inhalers," Ojo stated. "This move would decrease dependence on foreign currency and diminish production expenses.

He similarly emphasized listing inhalers among essential medications and incorporating them into the national healthcare coverage program, particularly benefiting those with lower incomes, to enhance availability.

Ojo cautioned healthcare providers against depending primarily on quick-relief medications such as salbutamol for treating asthma, highlighting that these drugs merely provide transient respite rather than tackling the root issue of inflammation.

"Worldwide, the tendency leans towards using inhaled corticosteroids, as they address airway inflammation. Minimizing this inflammation substantially decreases the likelihood of asthma flare-ups," he clarified.

He additionally urged for collaborative efforts across different sectors in research to improve asthma management techniques and motivated patients to steer clear of recognized triggers, follow their treatment plans diligently, and keep regular contact with medical professionals.

"Our objective today is to promote improved access to asthma care. So far, we have carried out more than 100 complimentary lung function tests and provided inhalers to several patients to start their treatments and link them with ongoing care at LASUTH," he stated.

At the event, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ojo, the Director of Pharmacy at LASUTH, also highlighted the significance of using both relief medication and inhaled corticosteroids together to stop unnecessary asthma-related fatalities.

She emphasized the crucial part that pharmacists have in educating patients about medications, ensuring they take their drugs as prescribed, teaching proper inhaler usage, and tackling side effects—all key elements for successful asthma management.

The event included an advocacy march, complimentary lung capacity tests, workshops focused on asthma education and proper inhaler usage, as well as interactions with people from the local area.

The World Health Organization states that asthma is a major non-communicable ailment impacting both adults and children, making it the most prevalent long-term condition among kids. Its symptoms consist of coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest constriction due to swelling and tightening of the lungs' tiny passages.

The WHO emphasizes that through the use of appropriate inhalers, asthma can be properly controlled, enabling patients to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.

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