Dr. Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, on Tuesday said there are no proven ways to prevent asthma diseases but early detection can control it.
Idris made this assertion in Lagos at a book presentation titled: “Guidelines for Asthma Management.”
The event was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health supported by GlaxoSmithkline Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited.
The book is the first of its kind in Nigeria and developed by seasoned physicians and scholars from various medical disciplines.
Idris said that the public focus of asthma should rely on early case detection and placement of affected individuals on appropriate and largely lifelong treatment to control the disease.
Idris said: “Asthma is one of the commonest chronic diseases in the world and the prevalence of this disease appears to be increasing in most parts of the world including developing countries.
“In Nigeria, studies that have been carried out suggest that the disease is common and affects up to 10 per cent of adolescents and adult population.
“This disease appears to be more common in urban areas compared to rural areas.
“The major push is to rapidly identify persons who suffer asthma and provision of effective treatment to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality.
“It will be the duty of the Ministries of Health in Nigeria to ensure that the essential products needed to provide basic and quality care to asthma patients.
“I hope these guidelines will be widely disseminated and used by all healthcare providers to promote asthma care practices in Nigeria.”
The General Manager, GSK, Cesar Morval, said that his organisation is committed to improve asthma management and respiratory issues.
Moval said: “We aim to help improve the appropriate diagnosis and management of asthma by supporting the lunch of the guidelines.
“For us at GSK this programme aligns with our mission to improve the quality of human life and help people to live better and longer and to also help health care deliveries in Nigeria.
“We are also supporting asthma clinics with diagnosis and monitoring kits, increasing awareness of asthma and providing solutions to health care challenges.”
Marval also said that GSK is set to train 2000 general practitioners in Lagos State on appropriate management of asthma.
The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Wale Oke, called for collaborative effort of healthcare practitioners and families to improve the quality of life of asthmatic patients.
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