NIGERIAN Thoracic Society (NTS) has advocated public enlightenment and education for asthma sufferers and their families.
A statement to mark this year’s World Asthma Day, with the theme: ‘Closing the Gaps in Asthma Care’, noted that greater information on the disease would close the gaps in access to treatment.
According to the NTS, asthma is not curable, but can be controlled to allow the sufferer lead a virtually normal life.
The statement signed by the President, Prof. P.U Ele, and Secretary-General Dr Abiona Odeyemi, reads: “Asthma is controlled by prevention medications for chronic symptoms, and relief medication for flare-ups symptoms. Education and understanding are key to effective control of asthma, which can be fatal if not managed properly. World Asthma Day educates and raises awareness of the condition in the hope of relieving suffering and reducing deaths.
“This year’s theme seeks to address those gaps that have continued to frustrate the reduction of preventable suffering, as well as the huge costs incurred by treating uncontrolled or very poorly controlled asthma.
“Some gaps include those in communication and education provided for sufferers, between scientific evidence and actual delivery of care, between prescribing inhalers and monitoring adherence and the clients’ ability to use various devices etc.
“We salute all healthcare workers and scientists working to mitigate the impact of this disorder. We also encourage asthma patients to rely on information from their health care providers, and continue to take their medications regularly and avoid triggers.”