By Muhammad Amaan
An initiative, Run4Breath has commenced a six states awareness campaign aimed at drawing attention to the growing burden of asthma in Nigerian communities and the rising cost of inhalers.
The initiative involves runners covering 21.1 kilometres daily in six locations: Bauchi, Kaduna, Abuja, Enugu, Asaba and Lagos, representing the six geopolitical zones.
The awareness campaign, which started on Aug. 10, will end on Aug. 15, with support from sponsors in Nigeria and abroad.
Mr Enumjekonaishu Jude, the spokesperson for the initiative, told NAN in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the campaign was born out of concern over the prevalence of asthma in Nigeria, with more than 13 million people estimated to be living with the condition.
“We wanted to use fitness as a tool to raise awareness about asthma, with representation across the country through a six-day physical challenge,” he said.
Mr Jude said the initiative had so far held activities in Bauchi, Kaduna and Abuja, combining half-marathon runs with community outreaches and asthma sensitisation.
He noted that his team distributed inhalers during some of the outreaches, with health facilities assuring that they would make them available to asthma patients in need.
Jude said the Abuja event featured a sensitisation programme at Spirita Nursery and Primary School, Sabon Lugbe, where pupils were educated on asthma, and some medical personnel attended to those requiring inhalers.
He said the team partnered with health organisations in the states visited, including the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Bauchi Chapter, and a teaching hospital in Kaduna.
He added that greater public sensitisation was necessary to help people understand the challenges faced by persons living with asthma and how to support them during attacks.
“The goal is to see that more people are aware of asthma and that government and relevant medical authorities can help with the subsidisation of asthma kits,” he said.
Mr Ogedegbe Theodore, a runner for the initiative, said the campaign had also provided an opportunity for the team to get first-hand experiences from asthma patients and families affected by the condition.
According to him, the campaign was not only focused on distributing inhalers but also on encouraging people who suspect that they have asthma or other respiratory conditions to seek medical evaluation.
Mr Theodore said some patients had lost loved ones during asthma attacks, particularly when they did not have access to their inhalers at the time of an attack.
He stressed that asthma attacks could occur without warning, making access to prescribed medication critical for people living with the condition.
Theodore noted that the initiative had also partnered with Urban Beta to monitor air quality along the routes covered by the runners, noting that poor air quality was one of the factors capable of triggering asthma attacks.
He said the data gathered would be used to educate communities about air pollution and its possible impact on people living with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Ms Stephanie Mogor, Founder, Let’s Give Foundation, said the initiative aligned with the foundation’s vision of promoting kindness and supporting people facing various challenges.
According to her, the foundation’s support is aimed at contributing to efforts that promote collective responsibility and care for others.
She described Run4Breath as an example of the sacrifice and compassion needed to support vulnerable people, adding that the foundation willingly collaborated with the initiative because of its shared vision.
