RESPIRATORY DISEASES REPRESENT A GLOBAL BURDEN ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA
In 2021, lung diseases were among the 3 leading causes of mortality causing over 18 million deaths globally(1) and having devastating consequences for patients and families. But the situation in Africa seems especially alarming, 1 in 10 children in Africa have asthma symptoms(2), making it the most common non-communicable disease (NCD) in children and adolescents in Africa(2). In Cameroon(2), pollution and disease stigma are still significant barriers to achieving asthma control. In Nigeria(2), where the prevalence is high, the cost of asthma medicines not being subsidized is still a barrier to therapy. On the contrary, in South Africa(2), despite the availability of asthma medications lack of efficient diagnosis is a barrier to care, leading this country to have the highest prevalence of childhood asthma in the African continent.(2). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide.(3) and an important cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Smoking is an important risk factor for COPD in SSA, and this exposure needs to be reduced.(3)
GAAPP – GLOBAL ALLERGY AND AIRWAYS PATIENT PLATFORM – AND THEIR 16 LOCAL MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS CREATE “AMEA”, AN AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EAST REGION ALLIANCE
GAAPP – Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform – is a global umbrella organization linking member organizations worldwide with a common interest: supporting and improving the quality of life for people around the globe who suffer from allergic, airways, and atopic diseases. 16 local member organizations unite to create AMEA, a regional alliance, to address lung health issues:
- Allergy and Asthma Organization – Kenya
- Amaka Chiwuike Uba Foundation – Nigeria
- Association Santé Meilleure Vie Meilleure SM-VM – Togo
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of West Africa – Gambia
- Asthma and Allergy Patient Association – Ethiopia
- Asthma Relief Campaign Project – Nigeria
- (The) Asthma Foundation – Sierra Leone
- Community and Family Aid Foundation – Ghana
- COPD Foundation – South Africa
- Frontiers for Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders – Sierra Leone
- Helping Hands Foundation – Pakistan
- Hope Life International – Gambia
- National Asthma Education Program – South Africa
- NCD Alliance – Kenya
- Permian Health Lung Institute – Gambia
- V- Life savers Foundation – Gambia
Together, the AMEA Alliance aims to:
- Raise Awareness: Educate the public about respiratory and allergic conditions, their symptoms, and the importance of early diagnosis.
- Encourage Medical Consultation: Empower individuals experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or similar issues to seek medical advice.
- Advocate for Better Care and Treatment: Call for improved access to medical care, and research funding to improve the quality of life of patients living with allergic and respiratory conditions in the region.
- Support: Push for increased investment in research, advocacy, and medical education, especially in African & Middle East regions where respiratory diseases remain largely overlooked.
AMEA, GAAPP AFRICAN & MIDDLE EAST ALLIANCE, ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST EVER REGIONAL MEETING ON THE 23rdOF AUGUST 2025 IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
Lagos, Nigeria, 23rdAugust 2025– The Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), together with its affiliate, the African & Middle East Alliance (AMEA), is proud to announce the first ever regional meeting on August 23rd, 2025. This milestone marks a significant step in creating opportunity for members across the region to converge, collaborate, share best practices, discuss challenges and develop strategies for improving allergy and airways diseases care in Africa & the Middle East Region.
“Allergy and respiratorydiseases are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, leaving many patients suffering without proper treatment. By organizing this meeting, we hope to bring much-needed attention to this condition and advocate for change on a regional scale, we call on the Nigerian Government and the entire African/ Middle East Leaders to support this move’’ said Perpetual Obiageri Nwangoro, African & Middle East Regional Alliance Administrator at GAAPP.
For more information and how to get involved
LOCAL CONTACT:
Obiageri Perpetual Nwangoro
(African and Middle East alliance Administrator for GAAPP): onwangoro@gaapp.org
PRESS CONTACT:
Fanny SENTENAC, Communications manager GAAPP, fsentenac@gaapp.org / www.gaapp.org
Sources :
1- Extract of the Lung Health Resolution Draft : B156_CONF5-en.pdf
2- https://globalasthmareport.org/resources/Global_Asthma_Report_2022.pdf
