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.
Also read: First lady Oluremi Tinubu advocates for maternal, newborn health on World Health Day 2025
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.
The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.
The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.
More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.
Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.
To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.
The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.
The schedule is as follows:
October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area
The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.
Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.
The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.
Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.
The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.
The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.
The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.
The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.
With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.
In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.
The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.
It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.
Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.
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