It was fun to facilitate another Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) spirometry training course in my hometown on 23rd – 26th April 2019 and to welcoming ACACIA (Ac hieving Asthma Control in African Children) project PhD student, Victoria Oluwatoni Oyenuga, from the UK to Durban to spend the week with us.

Supported by the  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Global Health Research Programme funded ACACIA project, spirometry training was facilitated for 7 ACACIA project team members at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban as we prepare to start the field work for the ACACIA project. We will use the opportunity of being in the field for ACACIA to include data to the Global Asthma Network (GAN) on Asthma in children.  

3 days was spent learning spirometry. On the 4th day Victoria facilitated training on Fractional Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as this test will be used by the ACACIA team in the field. The training was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Thank you to Prof Refiloe Masekela and Dr Reratilwe Mphahlele for hosting the training and for supplying such a beautiful big light and airy venue as well as delicious food each day. Thank you, Sr Yvonne Chimbarami for assistance with training preparations and co-ordinating the team. We are looking forward to great things in ACACIA and GAN this year.