BENIN CITY – A Consultant Physician, Dr Gani Owoeye, has called on the Federal Government to make Asthma a health priority so as to improve the management of the disease in the country.
Owoeye, who is of the Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Benin.
He said that people die from Asthma due to poor management of the condition and lack of treatment facilities in most schools and hospitals.
The consultant said that there was a need for government to provide Asthma management equipment such as nebulisers, oxygen cylinders and other equipment in hospitals, including Primary Health Centres.
“Asthma is a disease that affects the airways (lungs) in such a way that it makes it difficult for the person to breathe.
“Asthma could be caused by an allergic reaction or could run in families.
“Symptoms of the disease include cough, chest tightness, tiredness, shortness of breath and could lead to death when medical attention is not sought on time.
“According to the Global Asthma Report 2014, Asthma may affect as many as 324 million people today and the prevalence is rising,’’ he told newsmen.
“Fourteen per cent of the World children experience Asthma symptoms while low and middle income countries suffer the most severe cases.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individual activities for a lifetime.’’
The physician advised sufferers of the disease not to trivialise the condition, urging them to seek medical attention on how to manage the condition.
He called on schools’ authorities to have a small clinic where first aid treatment could be given to children who suffer from the disease.
Owoeye added that when the condition was properly managed, sufferers could live normal lives.
