Health

World Asthma Day: 339 million people affected globally

Published

4 years ago

May 5, 2021

A professor of medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Gregory Erhabor, on Wednesday said that asthma affects about 339 million people annually with over 500,000 hospitalisation and about 400,000 deaths across the globe.

Erhabor, who is also President, Asthma and Chest Care Foundation, said this in a statement signed on Wednesday to commemorate the World Asthma Day, with the theme: ‘Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions’.

“This theme is apt because it is channeled towards uncovering various myths and misconceptions surrounding asthma with the aim of destigmatising the disease and empowering those with asthma to seek help,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that World Asthma Day is one of the World’s Lung Days held internationally on the First Tuesday of May every year.

The professor said that the incidence of asthma had been rising progressively and developing nations are currently contributing significantly to the increasing global burden of the disease.

“By the year 2025, an estimated 400 million people will be affected. Asthma prevalence is grossly under-reported and undertreated.

“In Nigeria, an estimated 13 to 15 million people may be asthmatic, however, deaths from asthma are vastly preventable,” he said.

Erhabor said that Asthma was one of the leading chronic non-communicable respiratory diseases with global impact usually characterised by chronic airway inflammation with history of respiratory symptoms and cough.

“Asthma is one of the commonest causes of presentation at emergency departments and is the third leading cause of preventable hospitalisation.

“It places a substantial burden on individuals, caregivers and healthcare systems globally with increasing trends now being seen in developing countries.

“Asthma causes a huge cost demand on the individual and national economy, especially as a result of cost of medications, bills accruing from hospitalisation, and loss of income due to absence from work,” he said.

The professor said asthma results from interplay of genetic and environmental factors, noting that when individuals with genetic predisposition get exposed to certain triggers in the environment, they develop symptoms of asthma.

“Triggers include: pollens, house dust mite, cold air, spores, fumes, smoke, sprays; exercise and drugs, tobacco smoke, prolonged exposure to air pollution, and agents found at work place like chemicals, amongst others.

“The most common trigger still remains house dust mite. However, there is new interest in the role of obesity in the development of asthma,” he said.

Erhabor said that obese adults are 1.6 to 3 times more risk of developing wheeze and asthma.

“Obese individuals have high levels of leptin, which causes impairment of lung function, increased Airway Hyper Responsiveness (AHR), including exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and worsening of asthma symptoms.

“Obesity can cause or worsen Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and sleep apnea. These conditions lead to increased risk of developing asthma,” he said.

The professor noted that asthma symptoms usually occur at night with cough and breathlessness which disturbs patient’s sleep.

“They can also be worse early in the morning with the peak flow measurements being reduced. This is called the early morning dipping.

“The combination of these symptoms gives rise to what doctors call the diurnal pattern,” he said.

Erhabor said that asthma control was the extent to which the effects of asthma can be seen in the patient, or have been reduced or removed by treatment.

He said that a person is said to be controlled if there is no day-time symptoms, no limitation of activity, no nocturnal symptoms, no need for rescue medication, normal lung function and no exacerbation.

“Management of asthma requires partnership between the individual with asthma and the doctor.

“The patient needs to be educated on how to discover his/her triggers and how to avoid them, components of the asthma, how to use the medications, inhaler techniques, and the self-management plan.

“Asthma has been found to be best controlled when asthmatics know their asthma and can be part of its management, a process known as self-management plan,” the professor said.

According to Erhabor, self-management plan is a way in which you can tie your symptoms to your peak expiratory flow readings and know what to do when the reading is normal or reduced.

“The peak flow reading is usually done using a peak flow meter and asthma medications are best delivered via the inhaled route.

“Medications used include those that act on the inflammation known as controllers and those that open up the airways known as bronchodilators.

“However, during acute asthma attacks, patients receive oxygen, nebulized bronchodilators and systemic steroids,” he said.

The professor said that the Covid-19 pandemic impacts greatly on the respiratory system and many acute asthma patients have been mistaken for COVID-19 patients.

“However, studies show that COVID-19 does not particularly worsen asthma.

“During this pandemic, patients with asthma need to be trained by their physicians, given a written self-management plan, taught inhaler techniques and how to use personalised peak flow meters, and volumatics.

“This will reduce their presentation at the hospital, minimise their risk of exposure to infection to COVID-19 and thereby prevent the worsening of global burden of asthma,” he said.

Erhabor said that asthma deaths are vastly preventable and called on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), government parastatals and philanthropists to support the quest against the disease and minimise morbidity and mortality rates in Nigeria.

Health

Osita Chidoka Sponsors Health Insurance for 1,000 Obosi Youths and Women

Published

3 weeks ago

July 23, 2025

Our Reporter

….Partners with Anambra State Health Insurance Agency

….Urges Ositadimma Age Grade to Champion Community Development and Support State Initiatives
From Lateef Taiwo

Former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Chief Osita Chidoka, has announced the provision of one year’s free health insurance for over 1,000 youths and women in Obosi community under the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Programme.

This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, reflects Chief Chidoka’s enduring commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare and supporting state-led programmes that promote public welfare.

The announcement was made during the Outing visit by the newly formed Ositadimma Age Grade, young men and women born in 1985 and 1986, who adopted Chief Chidoka’s name in recognition of his leadership and service to Obosi. The visit took place at his country home, in the presence of the Ndichie, Abummadu, elders, and other community stakeholders.

Chief Chidoka disclosed that over 300 members of the Ositadimma Age Grade would be enrolled immediately onto the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme at ₦12,500 per person, with other civic youth organisations in Obosi to follow shortly, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 1,000. Staffs of the Agency were present to commence the registration.

“Health insurance is not a luxury. It is a civic right and a public good,” Chidoka stated. “I am proud to support the Anambra State Government’s efforts to make quality healthcare accessible to our people.”

Beyond healthcare, Chief Chidoka outlined a Four-Point Agenda to guide the age grade’s activities and ensure its long-term contribution to community development:

Health Insurance Scheme: Fully embrace the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme and encourage wider enrolment beyond the group.
Savings Culture: Establish a cooperative savings scheme that will enable the group to undertake a significant community project by their 10th anniversary.
Group Life Insurance: Put in place a group life insurance policy to provide social protection and ensure mutual support in times of adversity.
Public School Monitoring: Act as community monitors of the Governor Charles Soludo-led administration’s free education policy to ensure that no child in Obosi is left behind.

To support the savings initiative, Chief Chidoka donated ₦500,000 as seed capital for the age grade’s fund, to be lodged with Adike Microfinance Bank, Obosi. Chiefs Mgbakogu and Udemba donated ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 while various other sums were donated by other Chiefs present.

“Your Golden Decade — that critical period between the ages of 25 and 35 — is your foundation, use it for family, community and country. Apply Uche, Uchu na EgwuChukwu in all your endeavours.” Chidoka advised.

Describing the age-grade system as a uniquely Igbo institution for social progress, Chief Chidoka called on the group to sustain the tradition through innovation, collective responsibility, and a deep sense of service.

In appreciation, the Ositadimma Age Grade presented Chief Chidoka with an Award of Honour, recognising his visionary leadership, philanthropy, and enduring commitment to youth empowerment and community development.

This initiative reaffirms Chief Osita Chidoka’s stature as a patriotic son of Anambra, a firm supporter of progressive state policies, and a tireless advocate for community-led transformation.

Health

Nasarawa State Government To Collaborate With NARD To Improve Healthcare Delivery

Published

3 weeks ago

July 18, 2025

Our Reporter

From Lateef Taiwo

The Nasarawa state government has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) with aims to improve healthcare quality by fostering better working conditions, training, and resource availability for resident doctors.

This, the partnership could lead to enhanced medical services, reduced healthcare challenges, and overall improved patient outcomes in the state.

Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, made the commitment during the flag-off of a two-day training workshop organized by the North Central zone of the Nigerian Medical Association, in collaboration with the Damilola Adeyemi Cardiovascular Foundation (DAC-FOUND), held at the Federal Medical Center Keffi, on Wednesday.

The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, said the event was in line with the state government’s policy to transform the health sector for the betterment of its citizens.

He assured the management of the Federal Medical Center and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors of continued partnership to enhance quality healthcare services to the people of Nasarawa state. According to him, the Nasarawa state government has been supporting health practitioners and institutions with facilities to enable them to carry out their duties as expected.

The Speaker of the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, Dr. Danladi Jatau, commended the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, for organizing the North Central training workshop in a bid to provide healthcare services to the people.

Dr. Jatau reiterated that the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, under his leadership, will continue to enact laws that will promote healthcare services to citizens of the state and called on the participants to ensure proper utilization of the knowledge gained during the workshop.

The Speaker emphasized that the state assembly will work closely with the various medical associations in the state to ensure they are protected by laws for the smooth running of their affairs.

He announced the donation of five hundred thousand Naira to the association as his candid support, urging them to make proper use of it to achieve their objectives.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, Dr. Ashimom Timothy Msughter, said the event was organized to educate people on the need to know how to provide basic healthcare services before taking patients to the hospital.

The NSHA Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau while presenting an award to Commissioner for health Dr Gaza Gwamna during NARD Zonal event.
Dr. Ashimom thanked the Nasarawa state government and the Speaker of the state Assembly for their support to the association and promised to continue delivering quality healthcare services to the people.

He said the participants at the event including, federal road safety Corps, NSCDC, fire service among other relevant stakeholders Will be trained for two day on the need to know ways of providing first health care services to the people.

The Medical Director/CO of the Federal Medical Director of Federal Medical Center, Keffi Dr Yahaya Baba Adamu appreciated the efforts of the organizers of event and assured them of his support to enable the association achieved their goals

Highpoint at the event was the award presented to the deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, the speaker, Danladi Jatau, the commissioner for health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna and Medical director of FMC, Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu among others.

Health

KWSG Reaffirms Commitment To Oral Health

Published

2 months ago

June 5, 2025

milcah

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving oral health across the state, describing it as a vital component of general wellbeing.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, reiterated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day free oral health outreach, organised by the State Ministry of Health in partnership with Pharma Decko PLC.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, described oral health as a frequently overlooked but essential aspect of healthcare.

“Oral health is the cornerstone of overall health, yet it is often neglected, poor oral hygiene contributes to several non-communicable diseases, though its effects are gradual and often unnoticed until they become serious. That’s why this outreach is timely and essential,” El-Imam said.

She applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his sustained investment in healthcare, especially the recent renovation and equipping of the state’s dental clinic.

The Commissioner urged residents to take full advantage of the outreach by accessing free dental checks and professional guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Pharma Decko PLC, Mr. Ishola Olukayode, lauded the Kwara State Government, as well as the Ministry of Health, for their support for the initiative, adding that; “despite the short notice, the Ministry gave them overwhelming support which they profoundly appreciated.

“Pharma Decko PLC is committed to supporting oral health in Nigeria. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly use dangerous chemicals on their teeth due to a lack of awareness, putting their overall health at risk,” Mr Olukayode explained.

He emphasised that proper oral hygiene goes beyond brushing the teeth, stressing the need for regular professional check-ups and community awareness campaigns.

In a brief oral health education session, the Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr. Kasali Ajao, revealed that brushing alone addresses only about 40 percent of oral hygiene needs.

He noted that professional procedures such as scaling and polishing, recommended for at least twice a year, are necessary for comprehensive dental care.

Residents have, therefore, been encouraged to take advantage of the free Dental Care outreach holding at the Dental Unit of KWASUTH between Tuesday and Thursday this week for their oral diagnoses and treatments.

End