The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okplala says
the state government is committed to the treatment and care of all
non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Okplala stated this during a press briefing on public
enlightenment on Asthma held at Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex,
Awka.
Dr. Okplala said that asthma is a common long-term inflammatory
disease of the air-way of the lungs, and it is characterized by
variable and recurrent symptoms, reversible airway obstruction and
broncho-spasm which affects people of all ages.
According to the Commissioner who was represented by the Director of
Public Health and Disease Control in the Ministry, Dr. Uchechukwu
Onyejimbe, there is no current cure for asthma, but it can be well
managed and some people can overgrow it.
Dr. Okplala who said that there are twenty one non communicable
diseases focal persons in the twenty one local government areas of the
state, but it is yet to be inaugurated.
The Programme Coordinator of Non-Communicable diseases, Anambra state Ministry of Health, Mrs. Stella Chiejina noted that the programme
would have been done on World Asthma day, but COVID-19 pandemic
affected it and revealed that asthma is one of the four silent
non-Communicable diseases that kill a lot of people.
She said that asthma signs and symptoms include wheezing,
breathlessness, tightness of the chest, coughing, tiredness and
restlessness which can be prevented through preventer inhaler,
reliever inhaler and prompt treatment of chest infections among others.
Mrs. Chiejina noted that asthma patients are allergic to house dust,
mites, animal fur, pollens, cigarette smoke, strong odour, humid
weather as well as cold drinks and baths.
Health correspondent Chibuzor Okoye reports that relevant health
stakeholders in the Ministry were present during the briefing.
Comments are closed for this post.