Commemorating World Asthma Day

Health Matters with Dr Tendai Zuze

EVERY year on the first Tuesday of May, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in marking World Asthma Day; a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions affecting millions globally, including many here in Zimbabwe.

Asthma is often dismissed as a childhood condition or mistaken for ordinary wheezing, yet for many Zimbabweans, it is a daily battle that interferes with school, work, and even sleep.

While it cannot be cured, asthma can be effectively managed — and on this day, we are reminded that no one should struggle to breathe.
Asthma is a condition where the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe.

Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and are often triggered by specific environmental or health factors.

In Zimbabwe, common triggers include smoke from open fires and cooking stoves, dust from unpaved roads, cold winter air, and pollen from flowering trees.

For many in high-density suburbs, exposure to household dust and poor ventilation makes matters worse.

In rural areas, families may not even realise that repeated coughing and breathlessness in a child could be signs of asthma.

Respiratory infections like the flu or common cold often worsen symptoms. Some children who were born prematurely or suffered early chest infections may develop asthma-like symptoms early in life.

And while asthma is more commonly diagnosed in childhood, adults can also develop it later in life.

Despite being common, asthma remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in Zimbabwe.

Inhalers are often unavailable at rural clinics, and even when they are, many patients cannot afford them. Some may rely on herbal remedies or prayer alone, often only seeking medical help during a crisis.

In schools and workplaces, knowledge of how to support someone during an asthma attack is limited.

Many Zimbabweans still believe asthma is caused by supernatural forces or only affects “weak” children. These myths contribute to stigma and prevent people from getting the help they need.

With the right tools and education, asthma can be well managed. Daily “controller” medication, such as inhaled corticosteroids, helps reduce inflammation in the airways and prevent attacks. “Reliever” medication, such as salbutamol (known locally as Ventolin), provides quick relief during an attack by opening up the airways.

Avoiding known triggers is equally important. This might mean switching from a firewood stove to gas where possible, using a dust mask when cleaning, or avoiding strenuous exercise during cold, dry mornings.

An asthma attack can happen suddenly and must be treated as a medical emergency.

Knowing what to do can save a life — especially in areas where ambulances may take time to arrive.

If someone is having an asthma attack:

Keep them calm and help them sit upright.

Help them use their reliever inhaler. Ideally, this should be used with a spacer. Give one puff, and let them take 4–6 deep breaths. Repeat every minute, up to 10 puffs.

If symptoms persist or worsen, get them to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately.

If no inhaler is available, do not wait—seek medical help as quickly as possible.

Every school, clinic, church, and sports team should have at least one person trained in asthma first aid and access to a reliever inhaler. This is especially important in rural schools and during winter sports tournaments, when attacks are more likely.

On World Asthma Day, Zimbabwe is called to action. We must push for better asthma care at every level — community health workers must be trained, medication must be affordable, and public education must dispel the dangerous myths that still surround this condition.

No child should skip school because they can’t breathe. No adult should suffer in silence because they can’t afford an inhaler. Breathing is a right — not a luxury — and with collective effort, we can ensure every Zimbabwean with asthma lives a full and healthy life.

As we reflect on this year’s World Asthma Day, let it not just be another date on the calendar. Let it be a commitment — from homes, schools, clinics, and Parliament — to breathe easier, together.

For more information on asthma, contact [email protected]