Runners under Project Sixth Sense, athletes and fitness enthusiasts in Bauchi have joined a nationwide running campaign aimed at raising awareness about asthma and supporting people living with the respiratory condition.
The ‘Run for Breath’ campaign was held at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, with the state serving as the North-East venue for the campaign.
The event, which was held simultaneously across Nigeria, attracted runners and athletes in Bauchi, while more than 400 participants took part virtually from different locations.
The campaign also featured the distribution of inhalers to people living with asthma, highlighting the difficulties some patients face in accessing essential medication.
One of the organisers, Enunmejekonashu Jude, said the initiative was organised in response to what he described as inadequate awareness of asthma in Nigeria.
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He noted that millions of Nigerians live with the condition, while the high cost of medications and inhalers continues to make effective management difficult for many patients.
Jude also pointed to the country’s economic challenges, which he said had further reduced access to basic asthma medication for some patients.
He called on the government to subsidise asthma medications and inhalers to make them more affordable and accessible to people living with the condition.
Jude said, “We decided to use this initiative to raise awareness about asthma and draw attention to the challenges faced by people living with the condition.”
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He added that the organisers were providing inhalers to people who could not afford the medication as part of efforts to support asthma patients.
Although many of the participants were not living with asthma, athletes and runners turned out to show solidarity with people affected by the condition.
Another runner, Theodore Ogedebe, said the involvement of athletes was aimed at demonstrating support for people experiencing breathing difficulties while promoting a better understanding of asthma among members of the public.
The President-elect of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Bauchi State, Dr Kaltumi Shuaibu, said the association was collaborating with the initiative to promote the health and wellbeing of women and children living with asthma.
Shuaibu emphasised the need for greater awareness and support for people affected by the condition, particularly vulnerable groups.
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Also speaking, Coach Abdulfatai expressed hope that the campaign would encourage athletes and players to pay closer attention to their health and understand their health status.
He observed that some athletes who collapse during sporting activities often complain of breathing difficulties, stressing the importance of awareness and early identification of respiratory problems.
The organisers said the campaign would continue to promote asthma awareness, improve access to appropriate treatment and advocate measures to make essential asthma medications more affordable.
They also called on the government, health professionals, sports organisations and members of the public to collaborate in ensuring that people living with asthma can access the care and medication required to manage the condition.
