Breath of Hope: A Personal Journey Inspiring Asthma Care in The Gambia

During a trip to The Gambia in 2002, as part of a fact-finding mission and speaking engagement with general students at The Gambia College in Brikama, and treatment care with fellow doctors; our founder had to abruptly stop his speaking engagement to students in order to attend to his son, who was experiencing an asthma attack. Within minutes, his son located his breathing pump which puts his breathing back in control. This simple device- Albuterol Sulfate HFA MDI- an inhaler, which was not readily available to most asthma patients in The Gambia at the time, is what made all the difference to my son, yet reminding me how little that device seemed (in my western trained eyes) and how enormous that device is to the everyday Gambian suffering from asthma. That’s the moment I decided to do something…however small.

Our Approach to Heart and Lung Care:

GamAmeri Cardiopulmonary Center brings together heart and lung specialists in one place. We use a team approach, in an educational environment to ensure your heart and lungs are functioning together as they should — and help you address issues when they’re not.

With some symptoms — like shortness of breath — it can be difficult to know whether the problem starts in your heart or lungs. That’s where the GamAmeri Cardiopulmonary Center can help. Our cardiologists and pulmonologists work together to provide a swift diagnosis.

The sooner you have a diagnosis, the faster you can start treatment. Our cardiopulmonary team will create a learning and treatment plan that is personalized to meet your health goals and specific needs.

Cardiopulmonary Conditions we Test:

  • Asthma

  • Acute/chronic coughs

  • Bronchiectasis

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Cystic Fibrosis

  • Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB)

  • Interstitial Lung Disease

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis

  • Pulmonary Hypertension

  • Pneumonitis 

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Shortness of Breath/unexplained dyspnea

Cardiopulmonary Center Treatments and Services

  • Breathe Easy program

  • Nebulizer treatment (both MDI and Nebulizers)

  • Pulmonary Function Testing (MVV, MIP/MEP,FRC/Lung Volume,DLCO)

  • Spirometry (Pre/Post Bronchodilators) 

  • Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

  • Oxygen Titrations Studies

  • ABG Testing w/o Electrolytes

  • ECG/EKG

  • Echocardiogram

  • Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET)

  • Stop Smoking Now

  • Chest X-Ray

  • Chest CT Scan

  • Heart Disease Prevention

  • Continuum of Care

Broad Future Plan (soon to come)

  • Nuclear Stress Test 

  • Angiogram

  • A1C Test

  • Lipid Panel 

  • Complete Blood Counts

  • Blood Glucose Test Drivers

  • Blood Pressure Monitoring Drivers

  • Pediatric Pulmonology 

  • Mobile Spirometry Drivers in every community (urban and rural)

  • Lung Cancer Screening and treatment 

  • Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings

Cardiopulmonary services (soon to come)

  • Arrhythmia

  • Atrial Fibrillation

  • Congestive Heart Failure

  • Coronary Artery Disease

Our nonprofit, humanitarian efforts and business model is such that we can provide disease prevention and community education for free; while offering treatments for a minimal fee, so that we can be sustainable. 

Collaborating on heart and lung diseases: Some lung diseases affect your heart and vice versa. For instance, conditions like pulmonary hypertension, where your heart must work harder to pump blood through your lungs, can often occur along with heart failure. Our cardiologists and pulmonologists use a team approach to give you comprehensive treatment that addresses all the ways your body is affected by these complex diseases.  

“Pediatric cardiology and pulmonology: GACC has pediatric cardiology and pediatric pulmonology to address cardiopulmonary issues in kids. These pediatric specialists can educate parents and community health experts, so that care is coordinated and comprehensive.”

Arrhythmia and sleep apnea connection: For arrhythmia care, GACC electrophysiologists work with our sleep providers in pulmonology. That’s because sleep apnea can increase your risk for atrial fibrillation. Our providers collaborate to make sure you have an accurate diagnosis, so you can get the most appropriate treatment.

Connections to other GACC experts: Heart and lung conditions often involve other organs, such as your kidneys. They can also affect your emotional and mental well-being. Our cardiologists and pulmonologists connect you to other GACC collaborating experts or providers as needed — and regularly communicate with them to ensure your care is coordinated.

Partnering with area clinics, hospitals as well as international teaching hospitals for heart or lung surgery: As part of your cardiopulmonary care, we evaluate your need for cardiac surgery or lung surgery. If you need surgery, we partner with several hospitals. This allows you to pick the one most convenient to you. Our providers will check on you in the hospital and continue your follow-up care at GACC.

Lung cancer screening and treatment: soon to come. When this treatment option becomes available, our cardiopulmonary providers will work closely with our Cancer Prevention Unit to monitor patients heart and lung health throughout treatment.

Disease Prevention Kit (what makes GACC special)

  • Antihistamines

  • Peak Flow Meter

  • Sample Inhalers (SABA, LABA)

  • Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Dental Floss

  • Tylenol and AeroChambers