Dr. SIMON WALUSIMBI: Addressing the burden of Lung Diseases through research and training

Lung diseases are the second leading cause of life-years lost due to disability or premature death. In Uganda, 30% of the hospital visits are related to lung conditions. The five major lung conditions, also referred to as the ‘‘big five’’ include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lower respiratory tract infections, lung cancer, and tuberculosis.

These are projected to increase during the next decade, particularly in countries found in the global south, as a result of climate change, poor air quality, novel lung pathogens, and occupational exposure. It is therefore imperative to increase investments in lung research to generate evidence-based interventions and the tools required to halt and reverse the current and projected burden of lung diseases. Priority areas for lung research include more effective screening and diagnostic tests, new treatment options, interventions to improve air quality, and the utilization of artificial intelligence in the realm of lung health.

Further, a well-trained and adequately staffed respiratory workforce including respiratory doctors, nurses, radiologists, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists, among others, is required to meet both current and future lung health challenges. Gratefully, this is articulated in the country’s National Development Plan for 2025-2030 (NDPIV), which also emphasizes the urgency to address the prevailing shortages in the health workforce to improve healthcare delivery.

However, innovative training methods of the health workforce are required to eliminate the existing inequity in specialist knowledge required for managing complex lung conditions, particularly among healthcare workers in rural or primary care settings. In addition, intentional efforts are required to reorganize how respiratory care is delivered by reducing reliance on hospital-based care models in order to address the current health system capacity gaps and costs.

Finally, although advancements in research and workforce training are essential for addressing current and future lung health challenges, individuals play an equally important role. Therefore, the public is encouraged to adopt healthy-lung behaviours which include uptake of regular TB screening, embracing clean air practices both at home and at work, avoiding smoking tobacco or shisha, engaging in regular physical activity, and getting vaccinated against respiratory infections.

About Makerere University Lung Institute

Established in 2015, the mission of Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) is to improve lung health in sub–Saharan Africa through a combination of research, training, and clinical care. During the past decade, researchers and clinicians at MLI have collaborated with several national and international partners to develop evidence-based guidelines and protocols for providing high-quality preventive and treatment care for various lung diseases including tuberculosis, asthma, COVID-19, pneumonia, and lung cancer. As MLI celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it remains dedicated to transforming lives and shaping the next decade of policy and practice in lung health through research and training.

Dr. Simon Walusimbi is a Research Fellow at Makerere University Lung Institute.