Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Raises Concern Over Rising Asthma Burden in Kenya
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has raised concern over the growing burden of asthma in Kenya, revealing that the disease claims an estimated 2,300 lives annually despite being largely manageable with proper treatment and early diagnosis.
Respiratory experts at the hospital warned that asthma cases are steadily increasing, particularly among children living in urban areas where exposure to air pollution, dust and environmental allergens remains high.
According to the Kenya Asthma Management Guidelines, about 7.5 per cent of Kenyans equivalent to nearly four million people are currently living with asthma.
Speaking in Nairobi on May 7, Justus Simba said many asthma-related deaths in Kenya are preventable and are often linked to poor disease management, delayed treatment and low awareness among families.
“Asthma can be controlled, and children with asthma can live full, active lives. But the first step is recognising it early,” Dr. Simba said.
He urged parents to watch for symptoms such as persistent coughing, especially at night, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, noting that these signs are often triggered by dust, cold air and exercise.
Dr. Simba further observed that asthma prevalence is rising more rapidly in urban settings due to increased exposure to vehicle emissions, construction dust and allergens associated with changing lifestyles.
Despite the growing burden, experts noted positive progress as more parents increasingly seek medical care early due to heightened public awareness through media campaigns and health education initiatives.
Respiratory Nurse Bliss Wario said asthma continues to place emotional, social and financial strain on many families, especially when the condition is poorly controlled.
“Children with poorly controlled asthma often miss school while parents live with constant anxiety over sudden attacks. In some cases, stigma and misinformation lead families to hide the condition or discontinue treatment prematurely,” she said.
Asthma patient Lynnet Mwikya also underscored the importance of awareness and access to accurate information in helping patients manage the disease effectively.
“When you have asthma and the people around you don’t understand it, you feel very alone in managing it. Getting the right information and the right medication changed my life,” she said.
The specialists are now calling for a multi-sector approach to tackle the growing asthma burden, including improving access to inhalers and other essential medication, enhancing patient education and strengthening healthcare systems to provide comprehensive respiratory care.
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital noted that its Respiratory Centre of Excellence continues to provide specialised, child-focused treatment for asthma and other respiratory conditions as part of efforts to improve long-term disease management in Kenya.
