Medical experts are raising concerns over the growing burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Nigeria and across Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms, community education, and improved access to diagnosis and treatment.

The call came during a pre-conference training workshop in Lagos, held ahead of the Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS) Annual Congress. The workshop is part of Race Africa, a multinational initiative that raises COPD awareness and trains healthcare workers in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Cameroon.

Professor Obianuju Ozo, a pulmonologist at the University of Lagos and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), described COPD as a chronic lung disease that causes persistent shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. She stressed that while preventable and treatable, the disease is largely underdiagnosed in Nigeria.

Prof. Ozo explained that risk factors can begin even before birth, influenced by maternal exposures, as well as early-life contact with indoor smoke, air pollution, traffic fumes, and smoking. She called for strong national policies prioritizing COPD, including wider access to spirometry for early diagnosis and affordable inhalers.

“Lung function tests are available only in a few tertiary hospitals. Without diagnosis, we cannot treat. Policymakers must make inhalers accessible and affordable if we want to save lives,” she said. Prof. Ozo, a member of the Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Board of Directors, emphasized her commitment to advocating for patients, many of whom are too ill to speak for themselves.

Professor Djibril Mohamed, a respiratory physiotherapy specialist at Bayero University Kano, highlighted efforts to develop low-cost, locally adapted pulmonary rehabilitation programmes for underprivileged patients. He noted that community health extension workers are also being trained to deliver COPD care at the primary healthcare level.

Participants praised the training for its practical impact. Zainab Olanyi, a physical therapist, described the workshop as “very enlightening,” noting that the insights gained would improve COPD diagnosis and management.

“We aim to enhance lung function and the quality of life for patients. This training equips us to provide better care and solutions,” she said.