Amid Nigeria’s economic reforms, asthma patients struggle with soaring medication costs, limited healthcare access, and environmental triggers, relying on NGOs and coping strategies for survival.
As most Nigerians grapple with escalating economic reforms, the high cost of medications has exacerbated their health challenges, turning manageable conditions into severe burdens. For asthma patients, the rising prices of essential medications, such as inhalers and tablets, have become a financial drain, complicating their ability to manage the condition effectively.
Mrs. Blessing Chimieze, a mother of three residing in Eleme, shared her story of living with asthma during Nigeria’s economic downturn. Diagnosed with asthma in 2009, she expressed gratitude for God’s faithfulness in her life while speaking to The New Daily Prime on December 22, 2024. Recalling her experiences, she described numerous severe asthma attacks, including one during the early stages of her pregnancy.
In 2020, she also faced a life-threatening attack caused by toxic fumes from a generator in her compound. “It happened at midnight,” she recounted, her voice trembling. “I almost gave up as I feared for my life.” Her husband, trained in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive her before rushing her to a hospital. Rejected at one facility due to her critical condition, she was eventually admitted to another hospital, where she was placed on oxygen for the first time in her life.
“Seeing my husband’s face when I regained consciousness was overwhelming,” she recounted emotionally. Mrs. Chimieze explained that her condition severely limits her daily activities, causing sleepless nights, daytime fatigue, and poor concentration. “Asthmatic patients suffer a lot,” she said, her voice heavy with experience.
To survive, Mrs. Chimieze has adopted strict lifestyle changes. She avoids polluted environments filled with smoke, dust, or allergens and monitors her activities to prevent triggers. Her strategies include ensuring good ventilation, drinking liquid milk to ease symptoms, and relying on medications like Ventolin nebulizers and aminophylline injections.
However, the rising costs of these life-saving treatments have strained her finances. Forced to choose cheaper alternatives, she now relies on Ventolin tablets. Years ago, she could purchase a pack of 10–15 Ventolin tablets for ₦50, which lasted for weeks. Today, three tablets are sold for ₦100, double the previous price. “There’s an injection called Aminophylline. Once I take it, my heart opens up,” she explained. “But it’s expensive. It used to cost ₦1,000–₦1,500, but now it’s around ₦3,000–₦4,000. I can’t afford it, which is why I stick to Ventolin tablets and injections.”
Photo Credit: Health Think
Despite the economic hardship, Mrs. Chimieze manages to save ₦500 daily to buy medications and avoid emergency attacks. “Taking precautionary measures is necessary,” she asserted. “But if I start experiencing symptoms, I take the drugs immediately.”
Mrs. Chimieze also shared how she incorporates local herbal remedies to relieve her pain. Two years ago, she met a herbal specialist, Mr. Augustine Ovie-Whiskey (fondly called Whiskey), and under his care, she noticed significant improvement. “Before, I visited the hospital frequently during harmattan, but now, I rarely face attacks,” she said.
She credits her progress to a strict regimen that includes herbal medicine, regular exercise to expand her chest, a tailored diet, and avoiding stress and pollution. When herbal medications are unavailable, she resorts to conventional treatments, which she claims have no adverse side effects on her. In addition to herbal remedies, Mrs. Chimieze has received support from NGOs like the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) scheme.
Despite her health condition, Mrs. Chimieze continues to prepare meals for her family, including dishes like Egusi soup and fried foods, which she has been advised to avoid. Her husband has restricted her from performing household chores, and her niece now assists with daily tasks to minimize stress, a major trigger for asthma attacks. “Stress triggers it a lot,” she emphasized. “I’ve been restricted from heavy work or employment.”
Asthma remains a significant health issue in Nigeria, affecting approximately 13 million people. The high cost of medication and the exit of an international pharmaceutical company have created a shortage of asthma treatments in the market.
Temitope Omosebi, a psychologist, asthma activist, and founder of Attack Against Asthma NGO, spoke with New Daily Prime on how he has been working to provide relief to asthma patients. The NGO, founded in September 2023, was inspired by the struggles of his aunt, who experienced severe asthma attacks in the early 2000s. The skyrocketing costs of inhalers reignited his determination to act.
“I thought it would be great to start providing interventions for people who can’t afford inhalers,” Temitope explained. His NGO focuses on raising awareness and distributing medications to students, marginalized communities, and orphanages.
Temitope Omosebi, founder of AttackAgainstAsthma NGO
AttackAgainstAsthma with the officials of OAU’s health center including the Acting Director, Dr A A Olatunji, during the inhaler donation to students of OAU
Expert Insights and Call to Action
Asthma-related deaths in Nigeria exceed 10,000 annually, and experts emphasize the need for government intervention. “Asthma care isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a social responsibility,” said Dr. Oladotun Omoremi, a healthcare practitioner in Benin City.
Dr. Omoremi explained that untreated asthma often leads to emergency care, creating a vicious cycle of financial strain for patients. He highlighted the role of poor urban planning and environmental hazards, such as dust and pollution, in exacerbating asthma cases.
“We lack air pollution control measures,” Dr. Omoremi said. “Spoiled vehicle engines and unregulated urban construction expose residents to harmful toxins.”
Dr. Oladotun Omoremi, a healthcare practitioner
He called on the government to implement policies addressing environmental hazards, subsidize asthma medications, and raise public awareness about asthma management. “Prevention is more effective than treatment,” he emphasized.
The challenges faced by asthma patients in Nigeria highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms. As NGOs and individuals work tirelessly to support patients, government intervention remains essential to ensure affordable, accessible, and effective asthma care for all.
