Asthma deaths rising in Ghana as specialist urges early diagnosis, wider access to inhalers

A consultant neurosurgeon has warned that asthma remains a growing public health threat in Ghana, with thousands of deaths recorded annually, as gaps in awareness, diagnosis and access to treatment persist.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (7 May), Dr Teddy Totimeh said asthma — a chronic condition that obstructs airflow in the lungs — is increasingly prevalent due to a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure, particularly rising pollution and airborne irritants.

“If you look at the lungs as a network of tubes that allow air to pass through, asthma is when those tubes are unable to open properly,” he explained. “That prevents oxygen from reaching the body effectively.”

Rising burden, shifting patterns

Totimeh described asthma as approaching “pandemic” levels globally, noting that the disease is no longer confined to poorer settings but is now widespread across both high- and low-income countries.

In Ghana alone, he said, asthma is responsible for an estimated 2,000 deaths each year, affecting both children and adults.

Medical evidence, he noted, increasingly links the rise in cases to environmental triggers such as dust, pollution and allergens. In Ghana, dust mites — microscopic organisms commonly found in household dust — are a major trigger.

Why severity differs

The neurosurgeon explained that asthma severity varies widely depending on how strongly an individual’s immune system reacts to allergens.

• Some individuals have mild, manageable symptoms
• Others experience severe, life-threatening attacks

This variation, he said, is partly genetic, with asthma often running in families, but is also shaped by long-term exposure to irritants.

Adult-onset asthma and hidden symptoms

Contrary to common belief, asthma can develop later in life even in people with no childhood history of the condition.

Totimeh attributed this to chronic exposure to environmental triggers, which can gradually activate underlying sensitivities.

He warned that many cases go undiagnosed because symptoms are often mistaken for minor conditions.

Key early warning signs include:

• Persistent wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
• Night-time coughing
• Seasonal breathing difficulties
• Chest tightness or shortness of breath

“These symptoms should never be ignored,” he said, urging parents in particular to seek medical evaluation for children with recurrent night coughs or breathing problems.

Night and early morning attacks explained

Asthma symptoms are often worse at night or early morning due to prolonged exposure to the same environment during sleep.

“You are lying in one place for hours, exposed to the same irritants,” Totimeh said. “By morning, the effects build up and trigger an attack.”

Seasonal changes — especially transitions between dry and rainy periods — can also worsen symptoms due to increased allergens in the air.

Inhaler myths undermining treatment

Totimeh pushed back strongly against widespread misconceptions about asthma inhalers, stressing they are neither addictive nor harmful.

Instead, he described inhalers as a breakthrough in treatment, delivering medication directly to the lungs for faster and more effective relief with fewer side effects.

“Inhalers have revolutionised asthma care,” he said. “They send medication straight to the source of the problem.”

However, he raised concern that access remains limited in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries, estimating that fewer than 10% of patients who need inhalers actually receive them.

He warned that misinformation is further discouraging their use, worsening outcomes.

A manageable condition — with the right care

Despite its severity, Totimeh emphasised that asthma is highly manageable with proper diagnosis and treatment.

He called for:

• Stronger primary healthcare screening
• Improved access to inhalers
• Greater public awareness
• Expanded specialist care, including pulmonologists

“It is not a death sentence,” he said. “If we identify it early and manage it properly, people can live full lives.”

Prevention and daily habits

Totimeh also highlighted simple lifestyle measures that can reduce risk and improve respiratory health:

• Regular physical activity
• Minimising exposure to known triggers (dust, smoke, pollutants)
• Maintaining clean indoor environments
• Seeking early medical attention for symptoms

He stressed the need for a broader public health approach to ensure asthma care reaches beyond urban centres into homes, schools and communities nationwide.

“The difference between fear and control comes down to awareness, diagnosis and consistent care,” he added.

Asaase Radio