A partnership to breathe easy about
The latest research shows that as many as 40 per cent of South African asthmatics believe their asthma is under control, while it is not.
AstraZeneca has collaborated with Unjani Clinics to help address the mismanagement of asthma.
The clinics are run by nurses who tirelessly try to improve the lives of their patients and have now undergone sponsored training with AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business.
Although asthma is a public health problem that affects all countries regardless of income, most asthma-related deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries. Academic head of the Critical Care Division at Wits University, Professor Guy Richards, said South Africa has a high asthma mortality rate because many patients do not go for treatment and when they do they are misdiagnosed and prescribed antibiotics.
“Patients must be carefully instructed on how to use their asthma pump. Failure to do so results in incorrect usage and way too many occasions where the medication is pumped into the air, rather than directly into the airways,” said Professor Richards.
AstraZeneca has begun rolling out training to upskill the Unjani Clinic nurses, including those at the Kagiso Clinic. The training focused on asthma diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management. The intention is to develop both proficiency and confidence in the nurses who, on average, see 500 patients a month. As many as 1 200 patients receive attention from the Unjani nurses in some clinics every month.
AstraZeneca Market Access and Government Affairs Manager, Singatwa Mnqandi, said they consider their responsibility to their patients and their community as integral to what they do.
“Our commitment to improve health outcomes for South African patients extends far beyond our medicines – by supporting the Unjani Clinics, we can advance patient health and access along the care continuum,” said Mnqandi.
Mnqandi confirmed that 30 nebulisers were donated, ensuring each clinic has the latest technology to help manage and treat patients with respiratory conditions. Field experts Professors Michelle Wong and Robin Green were brought in to deliver training on adult and paediatric asthma respectively. Commenting on the sponsorship, Unjani Clinic CEO, Lynda Toussaint said they are extremely excited about this initiative and really value their associating with AstraZeneca.
Through the enhancement of the nurses’ knowledge and the provision of quality equipment, they believe their patients will achieve maximum benefit through the proper diagnosis and better management of their asthma.
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