Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Nigeria, and medical specialists are stressing the urgent need for the government to strengthen its policies regarding diseases such as tuberculosis and asthma in the country.
While there has been a decrease in the impact of tuberculosis, healthcare professionals are deeply worried about the escalating severity of asthma cases, which are leading to fatalities.
The physicians are advocating for Nigeria to adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses the burden of these diseases from various angles. They recommend a combination of government-led initiatives and individual actions to combat respiratory diseases effectively.
According to the World Health Organisation, chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect nearly 500 million individuals globally. These diseases are significant contributors to mortality and disability, with COPD ranking as the third leading cause of death worldwide.
In 2019, WHO reported 3.2 million deaths attributed to COPD and 500,000 to asthma. Despite their substantial impact, these diseases have often been sidelined in global health discourse, lacking the necessary attention and resources.
Naijatraffic learnt that, Experts in respiratory health have highlighted the importance of education in enhancing awareness and understanding among asthma patients and their families.
Professor Greg Erhabor, the former President of the Thoracic Society of Nigeria, emphasized the relevance of educating individuals on recognizing asthma symptoms, using medications correctly, and managing the condition during exacerbations. This concerted effort towards education and awareness can empower individuals to better handle their asthma treatment.
“ Other crucial areas cover the nature of asthma, its impact on the lungs, and strategies to minimise exposure to triggers like tobacco smoke and air pollution”, he said.
Professor Erhabor, founder and President of the Asthma Care Foundation, stressed that healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, play a crucial role in educating patients and providing personalized asthma management plans, tailored to individual needs.
As a Professor of Medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University, he highlighted the importance of this comprehensive approach in effectively managing asthma.
“Policy-makers and healthcare planners need to understand the burden of disease, the costs of uncontrolled asthma symptoms and attacks, and the cost-effective treatments available.
“In many LMICs, health facilities lack essential components of asthma care, such as inhalers, which have the potential to transform the lives of people living with asthma. Unfortunately, the cost of this life-saving inhaler has gone beyond the common man on the street.
“Some of these drugs are not manufactured in Nigeria and therefore, the exchange rates determine what their prices are. Hence, there is a need for a comprehensive policy that will ensure that health and education among others are highly subsidised.”
Echoing Professor Erhabor’s sentiments, Pulmonologist Prof Olufunke Adeyeye emphasized that raising awareness about lung health would empower patients to seek timely medical attention and access quality care for their respiratory needs.
As the Head of the Department of Medicine and Respiratory Unit at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Adeyeye underscored the significance of awareness in promoting effective lung care.
“We want to engage patients and health care professionals as well as other stakeholders to ensure that patients have access to the right information towards lung health.”
Speaking on why respiratory diseases are on the increase, the lung expert said, “Apart from the skin which is in touch with the environment, we breathe in the air continuously and whatever is in the air finds its way into the body.
“This is why respiratory hygiene is an essential part of medical practice. People must know that droplet infections – sneezing, coughing, spitting everywhere, and all forms of respiratory manoeuvre can lead to widespread infections.
“All these can settle on the table and people can contract it through hand-to-mouth contact, hand-to-nose, hand-to-eye, and these are the ways these diseases are transmitted.
“The lung is in contact with the environment and that is why pollution will be an issue. Smoking will be an issue because all those things go into the body through the respiratory tract. Anything that you can inhale goes into your lungs because they are suspended in the air.”
She emphasized that a significant obstacle in addressing respiratory issues is the lack of knowledge, as people are often unaware of the potential consequences of their environmental exposures.
Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation, and Disability at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted that this widespread ignorance poses a major challenge in the field of respiratory medicine.
“We must work together to raise awareness about asthma; too many children and adults are suffering needlessly.
“We must ensure that people living with asthma, and all those involved in their care, have the information they need to achieve the best outcomes.”
