Telecoms Clinic: When Campus loss echoes beyond asthma - ITREALMS

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A promising life tragically lost during university football training reveals a deeper crisis: the silent struggle of students with asthma and the urgent need for comprehensive campus support. REMMY NWEKE examines the recent loss of a final year Engineering Technology student at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), a stark reminder that a breath too late can have irreversible consequences, urging institutions to prioritize student well-being.

The humid embrace of a new semester at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), hung heavy in the Enugu home of the Ikoma family. But amidst the familiar anticipation of academic pursuits, a silent dread was taking root. 

The shrill ring of the telephone shattered the quiet evening, the unfamiliar number on the display screen tightening a knot of unease in Mrs. Ikoma’s stomach. Beside her, Chinedu, a retired teacher whose kind eyes held the wisdom of years, looked up from his cherished copy of Chinua Achebe, "There was a country," a flicker of concern momentarily eclipsing his gentle gaze.

"Hello?" Her voice, a fragile thread, reached out into the unknown.

The hesitant voice on the other end, laced with a nervous tremor, delivered the blow. A Dean from MOUAU, his carefully chosen words carrying the weight of unimaginable loss. "...very sorry to inform you... a tragic incident... your son, Chiwike..."

The name, their son, struck them with brutal force. Chinedu’s book slipped, a soft thud punctuating the sudden, suffocating silence. Mrs. Ikoma’s breath hitched, a silent scream trapped in her chest. "Chiwike? What happened to my son?" The question hung in the air, a desperate plea against the encroaching darkness.

The Dean’s wavering voice painted a grim picture: the football training, the abrupt collapse, the desperate rush to the Federal Medical Centre. He spoke of teammates' efforts, the swift journey in the university ambulance. Then, the words that would forever alter their reality: "Despite their best efforts... Chiwike... he had passed away."

The small living room, once a sanctuary of warmth and familiar sounds, became an echo chamber of grief. A stunned silence held them captive before a raw, guttural cry tore from Mrs. Ikoma, the primal sound of a mother’s heart shattering, a bond severed with cruel finality. Her legs gave way, and she sank into the worn armchair, sobs wracking her body.

Chinedu, his face a mask of disbelief, reached for his wife, his hand trembling. "No... no, it can't be," he murmured, his voice thick with denial. He snatched the phone, his plea laced with a desperate hope. "My Chiwike? Are you sure? He... he had asthma. He always carried his inhaler. Was it... was it that?"

The Dean’s gentle tone held a somber confirmation. "We understand that Chiwike had a history of asthma, sir. While the exact cause of death will be determined by the medical examiners, the rapid onset of his breathing difficulties during exertion is certainly a significant factor we are considering."

The news was a brutal intruder, stealing their joy, their future. The phone clattered to the floor, a punctuation mark on their shattered world. Chinedu stared blankly, his mind reeling. Chiwike, their bright, hardworking son, who had faced asthma since childhood with quiet resilience, the one they had encouraged to embrace life fully – gone, perhaps by the very breathlessness he had fought so hard to overcome.

Mrs. Ikoma’s agony intensified, each sob laced with a horrifying realization. Had they been vigilant enough? Had the university offered adequate safeguards? The insidious ‘what ifs’ began their relentless assault.

"His inhaler..." Chinedu’s voice was a broken whisper. "...was it with him? Did he... did he use it?" The Dean’s response offered little comfort: an inhaler was found nearby, but whether Chiwike had the chance to use it effectively remained a haunting uncertainty.

The call ended, leaving a silence heavier than any sound, laden with their unimaginable loss and the chilling possibility that asthma, Chiwike’s lifelong companion, had become his ultimate adversary. The world outside their home continued its rhythm, unaware of the profound devastation within. For Chinedu and Mrs. Ikoma, their lives had fractured, their grief compounded by the agonizing question: could this tragedy have been prevented?

A Campus Unprepared? Lessons from a Loss

Chiwike’s untimely death casts a stark light on the critical need for robust support systems for students with chronic conditions within university environments. His story underscores several areas demanding urgent attention:

• Comprehensive Pre-Participation Screening: Universities must prioritize thorough health screenings upon enrollment and annually, specifically identifying students with conditions like asthma through detailed questionnaires, physicals, and spirometry.
• Individualized Asthma Action Plans: Requiring students with asthma to submit and regularly update detailed Asthma Action Plans, developed with their physicians, is crucial. These plans should be readily accessible to relevant university personnel, ensuring a coordinated response during emergencies.
• Accessible and Equipped On-Campus Medical Care: University health centers must be equipped to handle acute asthma exacerbations with readily available nebulizers, oxygen, and trained staff. Extended hours and clearly defined emergency protocols are non-negotiable.
• Strategic Placement of Emergency Medication: Exploring the feasibility of securely accessible emergency inhalers in high-risk areas, with trained personnel authorized to assist, could provide a vital lifeline in critical situations.
• Universal Asthma Awareness and Education: Mandatory workshops for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing asthma symptoms, triggers, and emergency response are essential to create a campus-wide safety net.
• Proactive Environmental Management: Universities should actively mitigate known asthma triggers within campus environments, addressing air quality, mold, dust, and allergens.
• Secure Information Sharing: Implementing a confidential system for sharing crucial medical information (with student consent) among relevant university departments can ensure a holistic approach to student well-being.
• Building Peer Support Networks: Encouraging students with asthma to connect through peer support groups and promoting a buddy system during physical activities can foster a sense of community and mutual aid.

Navigating Athletics: Advice for Students with Asthma

For students with asthma, participation in sports and physical activity remains vital for overall health. However, proactive management is key:

• Partner with Your Physician: Before engaging in any new activity, consult your doctor to develop a personalized exercise plan and optimize your medication regimen.
• Master Your Asthma Action Plan: Work with your doctor to create and understand your Asthma Action Plan for physical activity.
• Inhaler: Your Constant Companion: Always carry your rescue inhaler, ensuring it’s accessible, not expired, and you know how to use it correctly.
• The Importance of Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Gradual warm-up and cool-down periods can significantly reduce the risk of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
• Listen to Your Body: Vigilantly monitor for early asthma symptoms and cease activity immediately if they occur.
• Adhere to Preventative Medication: If prescribed, consistent use of preventative medication is crucial.
• Identify and Avoid Triggers: Be aware of your specific asthma triggers and minimize exposure during physical activity.
• Hydration Matters: Staying well-hydrated helps keep airways moist.
• Open Communication: Inform coaches, trainers, and teammates about your asthma and your Asthma Action Plan.
• Choosing the Right Activities: While many sports are accessible with proper management, consider these options:
• Generally Well-Tolerated: Swimming (in controlled environments), walking, hiking, cycling (moderate pace), intermittent team sports (baseball, volleyball), and intellectually engaging, non-physical activities like Chess.
• Activities Requiring More Caution: Endurance sports (long-distance running), cold-weather sports (cross-country skiing), and high-intensity continuous exertion sports demand careful planning and monitoring.

Conclusion:

Chiwike’s story, a poignant reminder of a life brimming with potential cut short, must serve as a catalyst for change at MOUAU and universities everywhere. 

By prioritizing the health and safety of students with chronic conditions through robust infrastructure, comprehensive education, and proactive support, institutions can strive to prevent such devastating losses, ensuring that every student can pursue their dreams with a full and unburdened breath. 

The echoes of this campus loss must resonate beyond sorrow, inspiring a future where no student’s life is tragically limited by a lack of preparedness and care.