Nasarawa: At 34, Ada Gaius, a single mother of two and hairdresser living in Nasarawa, has battled asthma since she was diagnosed at the age of 10. Gaius's story is a stark reminder that asthma is more than just a medical condition; it is a daily struggle that many Nigerians face in silence. Her childhood was marked by nights filled with terror, gasping for air while her mother frantically tried to find relief. "Growing up, my family couldn't afford the proper inhalers. Most times, I relied on herbs or boiled water, hoping it would ease my breathing; sometimes, my attacks were so severe, I truly believed I would not survive."
According to News Agency of Nigeria, as an adult, the battle has only grown more challenging. With a monthly income of about N40,000, Gaius finds it nearly impossible to afford her N35,000 combination inhaler regularly. She resorts to using salbutamol inhalers, short-term relief medications, sparingly, even though they do not manage the disease's underlying inflammation. "I often skip meals just to buy my inhalers; when I cannot afford them, I pray; last year, I had a severe attack and was rushed to the hospital; I was unconscious for hours."
Prof. Chiwuike Uba, founder of the Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF), said the personal stories underscored the gravity of Nigeria's asthma crisis. "The statistics are more than just numbers, they represent real people's pain, sacrifice, and, tragically, preventable deaths. The estimated asthma prevalence in Nigeria ranges from 5.12 to 14.7 per cent, with projections warning of a further increase by 2025; this trend demands urgent, coordinated public health intervention."
Uba further explained that Nigeria's worsening air pollution and rapid urbanisation were accelerating the disease burden. "Behind these numbers are children missing school, families forced to choose between food and medicine, and countless patients struggling to access even the most basic care."
He identified the prohibitive cost of medications as one of the biggest barriers to effective asthma management in Nigeria. Basic short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers cost between N5,000 and N8,500, offering only temporary relief. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), essential for long-term control, can cost anywhere from N34,500 to N70,000, amounts far beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
The situation is exacerbated by the withdrawal of major pharmaceutical companies from the Nigerian market, Nigeria's dependence on imported drugs, and the devaluation of the Naira. Many Nigerians face a heartbreaking choice between purchasing asthma medication or meeting basic needs like food and shelter, often leading to fatal outcomes.
Nigeria boasts approximately 40,400 healthcare facilities, but about 85 per cent of these are primary health centres which are reportedly under-equipped, understaffed, or barely functional. The absence of a comprehensive national guideline for asthma management means care varies widely, leaving patients without necessary treatment and follow-up.
Environmental factors also play a deadly role in Nigeria's asthma crisis, with severe air pollution in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano exacerbating symptoms and triggering the disease. Uba called on the Nigerian Government to prioritise the development and enforcement of national asthma guidelines, noting that such measures could dramatically improve patient outcomes.
The Federal Government, through Health and Social Welfare Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate, has acknowledged the severity of the problem. Pate appealed to pharmaceutical companies to utilise import duty waivers to increase the availability of inhalers and reduce their cost, emphasising that "breathing should never be a privilege."
Dr Oluwafemi Ojo, a pulmonologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, estimates that more than 20 million Nigerians live with asthma, yet most cannot access necessary treatment. He advocates government support to stimulate local inhaler production and expanded health insurance coverage for asthma medications.
Dr Modupe Ajibawo, a Family Physician, stressed early prevention strategies as key to reducing asthma's impact, advising patients to adhere strictly to prescribed treatments. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 250 million people live with asthma, with Nigeria alone recording 8,192 asthma-related deaths in 2020.
Asthma care advocates say with coordinated efforts from the government, private sector, healthcare professionals, and communities, Nigeria can turn the tide against asthma. They say no one should be left breathless because of poverty or neglect.