‘20 million Nigerians suffer from asthma’

Muda Oyeniran, Lagos - 06.05.2008

AS Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the World Asthma Day today, the Global Initiative for Asthma(GINA) has aid between 15 to 20 million Nigerians have asthma or symptoms suggestive of asthma.

GINA also estimated that more than 300 million people around the world have asthma with over 250,000 deaths recorded annually. Speaking at a forum to mark the day in Lagos on Monday, a Consultant Respiratory Physician, Dr Olufunke Adeyeye, said even though asthma control can be achieved, data showed that the majority of patients were still uncontrolled despite frequent visits to their doctors or pharmacists.

According to her, uncontrolled asthma was a serious concern as it caused patients to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and disturbed sleep. She also regretted that majority of asthma patients were under-diagnosed and those diagnosed were not receiving adequate management.

Dr. Olakunle Oladehin, Medical Adviser of GlaxoSmithkline, sponsor of the 2008 World Asthma Day, said the company was embarking on a large scale awareness campaign on asthma prevention and to draw attention to the fact that that with appropriate control measures, asthmatics can achieve total control of their condition.