The Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Ebonyi, Prof. Jesse Uneke, has raised alarm over the growing health crisis posed by respiratory diseases in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of a key intervention at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Prof. Uneke called for urgent action to address conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and lung cancer, which he said are leading causes of both acute and chronic illness across the continent.
Multinational Project Launched to Improve Health Equity
Prof. Uneke, who also serves as the Principal Investigator for the new project titled “Improving Equity in Respiratory Disease Outcomes Using Data-Driven Tools,” revealed that the effort spans five African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa.
“Respiratory diseases impose a heavy burden on health systems. Unfortunately, access to prevention, diagnosis, and quality care remains limited—particularly among poor populations,” he said.
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He noted that Ebonyi and Lagos States are the only sites selected in Nigeria for the initiative, which aims to improve access to diagnostics and free treatment for up to 1,000 patients over the next four years across six health facilities in Ebonyi State.
Advanced Tools for Equitable Healthcare
The project will utilise innovative data-driven approaches such as:
- Equitable Impact Sensitive Tool (EQUIST)
- Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) framework
- The Pathways to Survival (PATHS) tool, which identifies systemic barriers in healthcare delivery
These tools are designed to improve equity in outcomes, helping health systems better allocate resources and respond to gaps in service delivery.
Free Treatment, Diagnostic Equipment Provided
Prof. Thecla Ezeonu, Director of the Institute of Child Health, praised the initiative for its timely relevance, citing the donation of spirometers to support lung function testing.
“This is a major stride forward for respiratory care, especially for children and adolescents who often suffer undiagnosed or untreated respiratory issues,” Ezeonu said.
She urged the hospital to prioritize free lung testing for young people exhibiting symptoms of asthma and other lung-related conditions.
A Step Toward Health Equity
The respiratory disease equity project is a groundbreaking collaboration set to reduce mortality and improve chronic care outcomes for vulnerable populations in Africa.
Its data-driven strategy is expected to inform national policies and health interventions, paving the way for sustainable, evidence-based health equity solutions across the continent.