The President of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of West Africa (AAFWA), Mr Sheku Wai disclosed to this medium that May is recognised globally as World Asthma Month, with the first Tuesday of May as World Asthma Day.
He said: “Today, Tuesday 7 May 2024, is World Asthma Day. The theme for the 2024 Asthma Awareness Month is ‘Asthma Education Matters’. The purpose is to educate the public and raise awareness about asthma, its triggers, types, treatments, and other useful information; encourage patients to discuss personalised treatment options with their healthcare providers; empower patients to take an active role in their treatment decisions.”
Mr Wai explained that their target audience is patients suffering from moderate to severe asthma, caregivers, health care professionals, policymakers and the general public.
He said that AAFWA networks with patient organisations in different countries that work to raise awareness and advocate for global policy to ensure access to care for the more than 800 million patients living with allergy, atopic, and airways conditions.
He urged members of the society to be more responsive to the plight of asthma patients.
The AAFWA President once again expressed gratitude to the Gambia Ministry of Health for collaborating with his Foundation in principle since 2021, adding that though they are yet to secure funding from within or outside The Gambia, the collaboration has been a morale booster for asthma patients in the country.
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