GSK, ENOF Sensitise Nigerians on Asthma Control
As part of efforts to create further awareness on the cause, prevention and management of asthma, GlaxoSmiKline Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Ltd (GSK), in partnership with Elias Nelson Oyedokun Foundation (ENOF), has called on Nigerians to learn about asthma and how it can be controlled, as this would aid in the prevention of asthmatic crisis among patients.
The call was made by the representative of GSK, Dr. Omolabake Okunubi and the President of ENOF, Lola Ilaka, during the organisations’ activities to mark this year’s World Asthma Day IN Lagos recently.
Okunubi stated that until recently, awareness in Nigeria about Asthma was relatively low such that people were not aware that the disease could be controlled.
According to her, although there is no cure for asthma, it can be effectively controlled, hence the need for increased awareness campaigns so that people will be informed on how to prevent and as well control it. She said: “In line with our commitment at GSK to improve the quality of human lives, we aim to create as much disease awareness as possible. We do this in partnership with health organisations, government organisations and non-government organisations such as ENOF. This partnership with ENOF will help us increase people’s awareness on the burden of Asthma in Nigeria and how it can be controlled.” She added that GSK has also taken a step further to ensure that medication for the control of asthma was easily accessible and affordable for all. “We understand the cost implication required in the treatment and control of Asthma and that is why we have rolled out medications that are affordable, so that many more patients suffering from the disease can have access to quality medication. We recommend that patients visit their physicians for appropriate assessment,” she said.
On her part, Ilaka said asthma deaths are ultimate tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma and these were mostly preventable if control measures are effectively instituted.
She said the objective of the organisation was to create awareness about asthma and to touch lives, adding that ENOF has taken it upon itself to train schools on how to improve asthma care and create avenues for teachers and caregivers in schools to learn about the disease.