Lack of knowledge on the causes of asthma and its treatment is subtly fueling child deaths in the country. This was highlighted during an asthma control measures community engagement meeting at Chilomoni Health Centre in Blantyre on Saturday 21st August 2021.

Research nurse Beatrice Chinoko said diagnosing and treating asthma in its early stages is the only effective measure that can help to tame Asthma-related deaths in the country.

“It is vital to pay attention to signs of asthma and to follow control guidelines during its developing stage,” said Chinoko during the training.

The meeting drew together various stakeholders of child health in the area who among other things demystified misconceptions and myths surrounding Asthma disease.

Ward Councilor of the area Philip Litchowa Kameta said the training was beneficial as people were taught how they can detect asthma and control its grave impact.

Litchowa, however, bemoaned the scarcity of inhalers and other equipment such as Nebulizer at Chilomoni Health Center saying such a condition is negatively affecting the community in a battle against Asthma.

Primary School Education Advisor (PEA) of Cholomoni Zone Godfrey Banda hailed MLW for organising the training.

“This is a fruitful meeting and we have learnt a lot regarding asthma. As one of the education authorities in the area I will take the message to teachers in various schools for us to fight the disease jointly,” said Banda.

Chilomoni Health Centre was the fourth site to conduct the training with seven others remaining in Blantyre urban.
According to World Health Organisation Statistics published in 2017 in Malawi about 3 people die of Asthma each day.