An asthma sensitization and education campaign targetingKanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region has wrapped up.
The President of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of West Africa (AAFWA), Sheku Wai, said the project was successfully executed by AAFWA from April to August 2026.
He disclosed that it was sponsored by the Global Airways and Allergy Patient Platform (GAAPP), DHK Global Trading and Kaira Consultancy.
“The ‘Breathe Free Community Sensitization Campaign’ is the second component of the Gambia Asthma Sensitization and Management Project. The first component of the project, the ‘Gambia Asthma School Educational Awareness Campaign’ was also successfully executed by AAFWA from May 2025 to January 2026,” he pointed out.
Mr Wai explained that the goal of the project is to reduce asthma-related morbidity and emergency room visits in the target areas through education and trigger management.
He said they sensitised residents on asthma symptoms and prevention, increased awareness of asthma as a chronic disease rather than an acute condition. They also trained asthma patients on the correct use of asthma medication, especially inhalers, as well as assist parents and guardians of develop personalized written asthma action plans for their children/wards living with asthma.
He added: “The campaign explained everything about asthma, such as prevention, management and control, to asthma patients, education providers, schools, parents/guardians of asthma patients, etc., thus helping them to have adequate knowledge of the disease. We encouraged people living with asthma to believe in themselves, that they have a normal life and capable of fulfilling their potentials.”
The AAFWA president disclosed that among the key focus of the sensitization was debunking myths that prevent patients from seeking help. “Community awareness is vital to reducing the stigma often associated with chronic respiratory diseases,” he stressed.
He lamented that inhaled corticosteroids which remain the cornerstone of management are still out of reach for many asthma patients in West Africa. He then appealed to philanthropists to consider asthma patients in their programmes.
Mr Wai finally expressed gratitude to AAFWA’s partners – GAAPP, DHK Global Trading and Kaira Consultancy.
