By Job Osazuwa

DOCTORS in Lagos, un­der the auspices of Asso­ciation of Residents Doc­tors (ARD), Lagos State University Teaching Hos­pital (LASUTH) branch, yesterday, organised a walk to sensitise residents to asthma.

Asthma, though a non-communicable disease, is said to be affecting over 300 million people across the world.

The medical person­nel drawn from different areas, began the aware­ness walk from LASUTH premises to Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, where they later screened residents for diverse ail­ments.

The president of the as­sociation, Dr. Dademat­thews Gbenga said the sensitisation and offering of free medical screening and treatment were some of the mandatory ways his members give back to the society.

According to him, it was unfortunate that many Nigerians lack suf­ficient information on the disease, leading to rising incidence.

Speaking on the theme of the body’s 2016 annual conference: “Synergy in medical practice, a panacea to challenges in health care delivery,” he urged Nigerians to attach priority to their health, adding that both patients and doctors have their roles to play in achieving a healthy nation.

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“We decided to embark on asthma awareness walk because there is a lot of focus on other chronic and non-communicable diseases, while asthma is relegated.

“One in 13 adults is ei­ther asthmatic or has a predisposition to the ail­ment. We are letting peo­ple know that it is a dis­ease that can be treated and controlled, and the patient can live a healthy and productive life if he has the right information.

“Today, we have den­tists, dental surgeons, optometrists and oph­thalmologists, for eye screening, dermatolo­gists, for the skin and family physicians for gen­eral health.

“This free screening and treatment is im­portant considering the harsh economic reality in Nigeria.

“We are also sending a message to the public that doctors are not only for demanding better welfare package from the government through strike,’’ he said.