The World Health Organization Special Envoy on Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Mr José Luis Castro, has raised concerns over persistent gaps in asthma care, warning that millions of people continue to suffer and die despite the availability of effective treatment.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr Castro said access to essential asthma medicines remains uneven, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where health systems continue to face major challenges.
He noted that although medical science has made significant progress in asthma treatment, many patients are still unable to access life-saving medications such as inhaled corticosteroids.
“Today, we have the science, we have the medicine, yet for too many people, access to treatment remains out of reach,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization, asthma affected about 363 million people globally in 2023 and caused approximately 442,000 preventable deaths annually.
Mr Castro said the majority of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where early diagnosis, access to medication, and long-term care remain inadequate.
He also raised concerns about the role of the tobacco industry, accusing it of using digital platforms to target young people and promote addiction.
Beyond treatment, he stressed that environmental pollution remains a major contributor to respiratory diseases worldwide.
Mr Castro called on governments and health leaders to make essential asthma medicines universally available by 2027 and integrate lung health services into primary healthcare systems by 2028.
He further urged countries to work toward reducing uncontrolled asthma cases and avoidable hospital admissions over the next five years.
In Ghana, the Ghana Health Service estimates that between five and 10 percent of the population lives with asthma, with children and urban residents among the most affected.
Dr Vishnu Nene Abayateye said asthma remains one of the leading chronic conditions treated at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
He identified limited access to diagnostic equipment, high medication costs, and worsening air pollution in cities such as Accra and Kumasi as major challenges affecting asthma care.
