The World Health Organization, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), and the Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS) have urged world governments to increase health budgets in order to improve citizens' access to effective and high-quality treatments, particularly for those with asthma.
The decision was made by the bodies on Tuesday in honor of the 2023 World Asthma Day, WAD, which will have the subject "Asthma care for all."
According to a demographic census conducted in Nigeria, 13 million people worldwide—among the largest numbers in Africa—suffer from asthma.
The first Tuesday in May is observed as a day of celebration throughout the world.
This yearly event seeks to increase public awareness of asthma and the effects it has on sufferers.
The purpose of the day is to increase support for families of asthma sufferers.
Free asthma screenings, media promotion, presentations, health education, community outreach initiatives, and sponsored events are typical World Asthma Day activities.
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects people in varied degrees and makes breathing difficult.
The bronchial tubes become inflamed and swollen, sometimes in response to allergens, physical activity, stress, or temperature changes.
Although the illness cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed to let the patient live a nearly normal life.
It is crucial in any situation to recognize and keep away from triggers.
Both preventative medications for long-term symptoms and therapeutic medications for symptom flare-ups are used to manage asthma.
In a statement, Prof. P. Ele, President of NTS, emphasized the need of knowledge and understanding in order to effectively manage asthma, which can be fatal if not treated appropriately.
He claims that "World Asthma Day raises awareness of the ailment and educates people about it with the intention of easing suffering and lowering death rates.
"Countries with inadequate resources bear the majority of the burden of asthma morbidity and mortality.
According to a population census conducted in Nigeria, Nigeria has one of the greatest disease burdens in Africa with 13 million or so patients.
The theme this year, according to Ale, "is a call to all nations to design, promote, and implement effective and affordable asthma care programmes that ensure no citizen is denied care."
The speaker said, "There are still significant gaps in asthma care that continue to thwart efforts to reduce avoidable suffering and the enormous expenses associated with treating uncontrolled or very poorly controlled asthma.
"Some of the significant gaps include those in asthma patient education and communication, between scientific evidence and actual asthma care delivery, between prescribing inhalers and monitoring adherence, and between prescribing inhalers and assessing the client's proficiency with various devices, among others.
"We commend all the medical professionals and researchers who are working persistently to lessen the effects of this condition on the general populace.
We also want to take advantage of this chance to encourage asthma patients to follow advice from their healthcare professionals, continue taking their prescriptions on a regular basis, and stay away from triggers.
They ought to always practice good coughing manners. Keep in mind to maintain your health and safety.