PATS is a respiratory society made up of healthcare professionals from across the continent and beyond who are united to address the high burden of respiratory illnesses in Africa. The overall aim of PATS is to promote lung health in Africa through education, training, research and advocacy. Since the first election in 2011, PATS has grown, becoming a voice for lung health in Africa, undertaking educational, research and advocacy initiatives and building African capacity to address the challenges of improving lung health on the continent. PATS currently has 770 members from 33 different African countries. African populations bear a disproportionate burden of respiratory morbidity and mortality relative to the population size both from infectious diseases as well as from non-communicable diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. There is a very high burden of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and HIV-associated respiratory illness. Asthma and tobacco associated respiratory disease are common. Biomass fuel use is ubiquitous and a major contributor to the prevalence of pulmonary infections, malignancy and COPD. Childhood respiratory illness is the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity in children under 5 years, with around 20% of deaths due to childhood pneumonia, the main cause of death in African children. This is compounded by the high proportion of children (approximately 30-50%) who make up African populations. Therefore it is essential that PATS maintain a strong voice to represent African lung health issues and that PATS further develop educational, research and advocacy initiatives.
