For many families living with asthma, the cost of consultations, medications and regular medical care can make managing the condition a constant struggle. In Igbuzo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, the CIDO Asthma Foundation is seeking to ease that burden by providing free healthcare and asthma-management support to patients.
Established under the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation, the CIDO Asthma Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life of people living with asthma through medical care, health education, advocacy and access to essential medications.
Since its establishment, the foundation has provided patients with free consultations, treatment, inhalers, asthma-management kits and follow-up support, with its services available to people irrespective of their social or economic background.
Located in Igbuzo, the facility has developed a reputation for providing specialised asthma care on a not-for-profit basis. Patients are not required to pay for registration, consultation or medication, a model that has offered relief to individuals and families who may otherwise find it difficult to afford consistent asthma treatment.
Reaching Patients in Need
The foundation’s intervention has reportedly benefited more than 2,000 patients, while many others continue to receive medical attention and follow-up care.
Its services have been particularly valuable to children and adults who depend on inhalers and other medications to control their symptoms and reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks.
Beyond treatment, the CIDO Asthma Foundation has also placed emphasis on public awareness and health education. Through lectures, seminars, community outreach programmes and activities marking World Asthma Day, the organisation has continued to educate residents about asthma, including the importance of early diagnosis, proper management and timely medical attention.
The awareness efforts have also sought to challenge misconceptions about asthma and encourage patients and their families to better understand the condition.
Supporting Asthma Awareness
The foundation’s work was further highlighted during the Run4Breath Asthma Awareness Campaign, a nationwide advocacy initiative that reached Delta State.
The campaign passed through Asaba and Igbuzo, where the CIDO Asthma Foundation supported efforts to raise awareness about asthma and provide inhalers and asthma-management kits to vulnerable patients.
The initiative also drew attention to the challenges faced by people living with asthma and the need for accessible and affordable healthcare for those managing chronic respiratory conditions.
Officials of the foundation have consistently stressed the importance of ensuring that people living with asthma can access the care they need without financial barriers.
The foundation’s stated approach is to make treatment available to anyone who can reach the facility, regardless of tribe, religion or location.
Impact Beyond Igbuzo
Although based in Igbuzo, the foundation’s beneficiaries reportedly come from several communities across Delta State, including Asaba, Okpanam, Ogwashi-Uku, Illah, Issele-Uku and Ubulu-Uku, among others.
For some beneficiaries, access to free treatment and regular medical support has helped reduce the anxiety associated with recurring asthma attacks and the financial pressure of maintaining treatment.
Residents have also commended the foundation’s founder, Pastor Idowu Okeze, and the medical team for their commitment to providing care to people living with asthma.
The initiative demonstrates how private and community-based interventions can complement existing healthcare services, particularly in areas where the cost of managing chronic conditions remains a major challenge for families.
A Continuing Commitment
The CIDO Asthma Foundation has grown beyond being a healthcare facility to become an avenue for medical support, asthma awareness and community service in Igbuzo and surrounding areas.
Through free treatment, health education and advocacy, the foundation continues to contribute to efforts aimed at helping asthma patients live healthier and more productive lives.
For the patients and families who have benefited from its intervention, access to reliable asthma care can mean more than medical treatment—it can mean greater confidence, fewer disruptions to daily life and renewed hope.
As the foundation continues its work, its story serves as a reminder of the impact that sustained community-focused healthcare initiatives can have on people living with chronic conditions.
