health
World Asthma Day: LASUTH advocates for increased asthma awareness, affordable inhaler access
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital calls for greater public awareness of asthma symptoms and improved access to inhaled treatments, emphasizing affordability and local production.
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital calls for greater public awareness of asthma symptoms and improved access to inhaled treatments, emphasizing affordability and local production
The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has issued a strong call for increased public awareness regarding the symptoms of asthma and for significant improvements in access to effective treatment, particularly inhaled medications.
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This plea was made during a World Asthma Day event organized by the hospital’s Respiratory Unit in collaboration with the Ikeja Local Government Area on Tuesday in Lagos.
World Asthma Day, observed annually on the first Tuesday in May, serves as a global platform to raise awareness about asthma and promote optimal management of this chronic respiratory disease.
The theme for 2025, “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL,” underscores the critical and urgent need for equitable access to essential asthma medications for all individuals affected by the condition.
Dr. Oluwafemi Ojo, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at LASUTH and a consultant pulmonologist, highlighted the significant global impact of asthma, affecting over 300 million people worldwide and contributing to over 450,000 deaths each year.
In Nigeria alone, more than 20 million individuals live with asthma, which profoundly affects their physical, socio-economic, and emotional well-being, as well as that of their families.
Dr. Ojo identified the high cost and limited availability of inhalers, exacerbated by the departure of key pharmaceutical companies from the Nigerian market, as a major impediment to effective asthma management.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritize the creation of a favorable environment for local pharmaceutical companies to commence the production of inhalers.
This strategic move would reduce dependence on foreign exchange and ultimately lower production costs, making these essential medications more affordable.
Furthermore, Dr. Ojo advocated for the inclusion of inhalers on the list of essential medicines and their integration into the national health insurance scheme, particularly to improve accessibility for low-income earners who are disproportionately affected by the cost barrier.
Dr. Ojo also advised medical practitioners to shift away from relying solely on short-acting beta-2 agonists like salbutamol as the primary treatment for asthma.
He explained that while these drugs provide temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying cause of asthma, which is airway inflammation.
He emphasized the global trend towards the use of inhaled corticosteroids, which directly target and reduce airway inflammation, significantly lowering the risk of asthma exacerbations.
In addition to advocating for policy changes and treatment advancements, Dr. Ojo called for enhanced inter-sectoral collaboration in research to develop more effective asthma management strategies.
“To address this, the Federal Government must create a conducive environment for local pharmaceutical companies to produce inhalers. This would reduce reliance on foreign exchange and lower production costs,” said Dr. Oluwafemi Ojo, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at LASUTH.
He also encouraged patients to proactively avoid known asthma triggers, strictly adhere to their prescribed treatment plans, and maintain close communication with their healthcare providers.
“Our aim today is to advocate for better asthma care and accessibility,” Dr. Ojo stated. “We’ve already conducted over 100 free lung function tests and distributed inhalers to some patients to initiate treatment and connect them to continued care at LASUTH.”
Also speaking at the event, LASUTH’s Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ojo, stressed the critical importance of combining reliever medications with inhaled corticosteroids to prevent avoidable asthma-related deaths.
She highlighted the pivotal role of pharmacists in providing patient education, ensuring medication adherence, training patients on proper inhaler techniques, and addressing potential side effects – all crucial factors in achieving effective asthma control.
The World Asthma Day event at LASUTH featured an advocacy walk to raise public awareness, free lung function screenings for community members, and educational sessions focused on understanding asthma and the correct use of inhaler devices.
The World Health Organisation identifies asthma as a leading non-communicable disease affecting both adults and children, and the most common chronic illness among children.
Its characteristic symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, result from inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs.
The WHO emphasizes that with appropriate inhaled medication and proper management, individuals with asthma can effectively control their condition and lead active, healthy lives.
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The UK is testing five-day breast cancer radiotherapy in a major trial that could reduce hospital visits and treatment costs for patients
The United Kingdom has launched a major clinical trial involving more than 1,000 participants to determine whether breast cancer radiotherapy can be shortened from three weeks to five days without compromising its effectiveness in preventing the disease from returning.
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The government-funded FAST-Forward Boost trial, being conducted at 39 hospitals across the UK, will investigate whether a shorter course of radiotherapy combined with an additional targeted dose, known as a boost, can provide effective treatment for patients following breast cancer surgery.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care announced the development on Friday, October 30, describing the study as part of efforts to improve cancer treatment and make care more convenient for patients.
Led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the study aims to recruit 4,830 participants by 2028.
Those enrolled will be followed up for five years, with results expected in 2033.
If the approach proves successful, it could reduce the number of hospital visits required by patients, potentially saving them 10 journeys compared with the existing three-week treatment schedule.
The department said the shorter schedule could also reduce transport expenses and the time patients spend away from work and family.
It could additionally ease pressure on the National Health Service by freeing up radiotherapy capacity for other patients.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the trial reflected the country’s efforts to use medical research to improve cancer care.
“This trial shows how the UK is using our world beating research capabilities to pursue huge improvements and transformations in cancer treatment for patients,” she said.
Why the radiotherapy trial matters
Radiotherapy uses carefully targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing.
For many people with breast cancer, it is recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of the disease returning in the treated area.
A treatment boost involves delivering an additional dose of radiation to the area considered to have a higher risk of recurrence, usually the site where the tumour was removed.
The FAST-Forward Boost trial is examining how this additional treatment can be incorporated into a shorter schedule.
Reducing treatment from three weeks to five days could make a considerable difference to patients who must travel regularly to hospitals.
The impact may be particularly significant for people living far from specialist cancer centres, those with limited transport options and patients balancing treatment with employment or family responsibilities.
However, the trial is designed to establish whether the shorter approach is effective and safe for the patients being studied. Its results will be important in determining whether the treatment schedule can become a wider option in clinical practice.
UK expands breast cancer screening efforts
The announcement comes as the British government intensifies efforts to improve breast cancer screening, encourage early diagnosis and strengthen support for patients.
The Department of Health and Social Care said screening uptake among women receiving their first invitation had risen to 63.6 per cent, its highest level in a decade.
Despite the improvement, around four in 10 women invited for their first screening appointment still do not attend.
The government is also working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research and NHS England on studies examining how artificial intelligence could support the analysis of mammograms.
The technology is being explored as a way to assist the assessment of breast screening images, although its role and effectiveness must be established through appropriate research and clinical evaluation.
In addition, the government has partnered with breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Now for three years to help women recognise symptoms, find reliable information and access support after treatment.
Together, the initiatives reflect a broader approach to breast cancer care, combining screening, research into treatment improvements and support for people living with the disease.
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For now, the five-day radiotherapy approach remains under investigation. With final results not expected until 2033, the FAST-Forward Boost trial will need to establish whether reducing treatment time can deliver comparable cancer control while maintaining patient safety.
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