Healthy Lungs for Life events in Durban, South Africa

Durban, South Africa, hosted seven public Healthy Lungs for Life events in April.

The events, co-ordinated by Lindsay Zurba of Spirometry Training Services Africa, took place alongside the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) and the South African Thoracic Society Congress entitled “siza iAfrika iPhefumule: Help Africa Breathe” on 12– 15 April and the International Multidisciplinary Programme to Address Lung Health and TB in Africa “IMPALA” meeting on 15– 20 April. 

Seven free Healthy Lungs for Life spirometry testing events took place over 10 days in and around the communities of Durban. They were funded and supported by the PATS Spirometry programme.

Events were held in various venues in and around Durban, including the hotels in which congress delegates were staying as well as outside pharmacies and in shopping centres around the city. The technician team of 4 tested 313 people in 7 days, at the same time adding data to the Paediatric and Adult Spirometry (PAAS) Study which is collecting lung function data in healthy South Africans to generate much needed local reference values. 

In addition, 10 IMPALA partners from Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda were presented with spirometry equipment previously donated by ELF and ERS to take back with them for use in their research clinics. Lindsay Zurba said: “This equipment is essential to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions that affect breathing. The loaning of this equipment to these in-country partners will have a hugely positive impact on their research objectives, and the treatment received by those that visit their clinics”

Read more about the Pan African Thoracic Society.

Learn more about how you can bring Healthy Lungs for Life to your community.