A Professor of Medicine at the Lagos State University, Olufunke Olayinka Adeyeye has stressed the need for the Federal Government to initiate a policy that will ensure integration of asthma care into the national non-communicable disease (NCD) strategy and make essential asthma medications especially inhaled corticosteroids to be not only listed in the national drug formularies but must also be subsidized and made readily available for patients
The don from the Department of Medicine, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, stated this as part her recommendations while delivering the university's 118th inaugural lecture titled
"Breath in Bondage: Breaking the Yoke of Asthma with Knowledge and Action ", on Tuesday at the Ojo main campus of the institution
The inaugural lecturer emphasized that such policy must be truly implemented by government and not just a document, saying there is need to improve access to diagnosis and with ready availability of tools such as peak flow meters, spirometers, FeNO machine and other tools for Biomarkers of inflammation amongst others.
According to her, there is need to establish school-based asthma programmes to include screening for asthma on enrolment, training teachers and caregivers on asthma emergency preparedness, asthma action plans, asthma school friendly policies and education to avoid stigmatization
"The government should Support postgraduate training and research in pulmonology, where we presently have few trainees and encourage operational and translational research on asthmaand other chronic respiratory diseases focusing on locally relevant interventions", she stated
The Professor of Medicine who emphasized need to implement the WHO package of essential noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions for primary health care, called for more advocacy and interventions at improving air quality both indoor and outdoor (clean fuel for domestic use, emission control for vehicles and factories, advocacy on Tobacco use etc
For the stakeholders in the health institutions in the country, she recommended training and retraining of healthcare workers at all levels—particularly general practitioners, nurses, and community health officers—in the diagnosis and management of asthma within the community.
"This should be accompanied by the promotion of diagnostic tools such as spirometry and peak flow meters at all levels of care, as well as strategies to enhance the uptake and implementation of asthma management guidelines"
"Structured asthma clinics should be created with protocols for continuity of care of patients with asthma by appropriate training task shifting in the community", she further suggested
Prof.Adeyeye said asthma education should be incorporated into the routine care of patients with asthma with emphasis on inhaler technique, trigger avoidance, recognition of worsening symptoms, use of asthma control test, Peak flow meters etc
The former Head of Medicine Department at LASU College of Medicine urged Communities and Schools to continue to raise awareness about asthma within the community through NGOs, faith-based organizations, market associations, and traditional leaders, saying the Media both print and Social media must be engaged
She stated that parents, caregivers, and teachers must be empowered with the needed knowledge to recognize early symptoms of asthma to enable them provide the required support for such students in school.
"Create safe and inclusive environments for children living with asthma in schools and homes"
"Pave the floor of schools and ensure schools are sited away from traffic burden zone"
For Individuals and Patients, the medical expert , said they must understand the diagnosis and adhere to prescribed treatments and ensure regular follow-up appointments
She enjoined them to learn and practice correct inhaler use and avoid known triggers, including indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, and allergens.
The patients she stated, must advocate for themselves and others living with asthma.
"Finally, Asthma is common in our environment but the knowledge about the disease is poor. Breaking the chains of asthma requires the effort of all of us. There is need for policy reforms, improved bedside care, better classroom sensitization,increase research funding and training more pulmonologists, every effort will ultimately count."
"Improving Knowledge about asthma and taking action could be our tools to lose the bound and break the yoke of Asthma and I implore us all to rise to this challenge," she charged
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello who chaired the inaugural lecture was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Afisi Oseni who lauded the well researched presentation of Inaugural Lecturer and contributions to the medical world, particularly in the country
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