Hello, my name is Ayesha Javed. I'm a rising sophomore in Illinois who has recently been reading about the increased medication prices in Nigeria, more specifically the increased prices of inhalers. This was caused by some pharmaceutical companies pulling out of Nigeria. I’ve personally struggled with asthma and understand the importance of these life-saving medications. I first came across this issue while reading an article titled #AttackAgainstAsthma written by Mr. Temitope Omosebi. In the article, I read about how he had taken an initiative #AttackAgainstAsthma by donating a set of inhalers to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I was immediately inspired to help spread awareness for this cause. I recently got in touch with Mr. Temitope Omosebi, and together we decided to launch a fundraiser for this cause.

In Nigeria, the price of inhalers has increased almost 500% in less than a year and continues to rise rapidly. What was once barely affordable is now too expensive, rising from $1.86 to well over $5. An inhaler lasts about two months, which is a significant cost in a country where the minimum monthly wage is around $20. Many asthma patients in Nigeria can no longer afford inhalers and have had to adapt to being without them, which is not easy when faced with severe asthma. When Phoebe, a single mother, a school teacher, and an asthma patient from Nigeria was interviewed by journalist, Makuochi Okafor from the BBC, she said, "I don't know how I'll survive. I earn peanuts, and the cost of inhalers keeps going up. I'm trying to do whatever it takes to get my inhalers, because I can't live without them.”

Please consider donating to this cause and sharing this campaign which can have a major impact on the lives of people with Asthma. Thank you.