Ebele Egoh
As the world marks World Asthma Day 2025 on May 6th, Dr. Gerald Anisiobi of Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH) is sounding the alarm on the critical need for equitable access to effective and affordable asthma medications.
With over 260 million people worldwide affected by asthma, resulting in over 450,000 preventable deaths annually, Dr. Anisiobi emphasizes the importance of understanding asthma, its symptoms, and triggers for effective management.
World Asthma Day, according to Dr. Anisiobi, aims to raise awareness of asthma and highlight the importance of preventing and managing its symptoms.
The theme for this years Asthma Day is ‘’ Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for all’ ‘according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA).
He described asthma as a chronic respiratory disease that results in inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing difficulty in breathing. Dr. Anisiobi identifies common asthma triggers, including infections such as sinusitis, flu, and colds, allergens and irritants, tobacco and smoke, exercise, air pollution, stress and anxiety, certain foods and medications, and oesophageal disease. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, pain and pressure, and difficulty sleeping, varying from person to person, age group, and environmental factors.
For diagnosis, Dr. Anisiobi noted that investigations such as spirometry, peak flow, chest X-ray, Chest CT scan, sputum test, and allergy test may be necessary following history and physical examinations. He classified asthma into different types based on age of onset and severity, with Status Asthmaticus being a medical emergency. “Status Asthmaticus is a long-lasting asthma attack that is not usually resolved by routine bronchodilators, and it is, therefore, a medical emergency.”
While asthma is not communicable, Dr. Anisiobi highlighted predisposing factors such as family history, genes, exposure to environmental allergens, lung infections, and obesity. He stresses that inhaled corticosteroid-containing medications can prevent asthma attacks by treating underlying inflammation.
As the global community observes World Asthma Day, Dr. Anisiobi calls for coordinated action to ensure access to life-saving medications. With the 2025 UN High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) approaching, he emphasized the need for investment and policy change to improve asthma care globally. “Let us work together to make inhaled treatments accessible for all and improve the lives of millions living with asthma,” Dr. Anisiobi urges.
- Egoh is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
